SOUTH Coast Rugby League officially launched its centenary season at a function attended by many of Group 7's life members and strongest supporters last week.
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The centenary committee, headed by group life member John O'Dwyer, has worked tirelessly during the past year to plan for the special season.
With the financial support of Clubs NSW and the state government, it has put together an impressive list of functions for the upcoming season.
The event also allowed the group to unveil a life members honour board, which will be installed at the Kiama Leagues Club.
O'Dwyer said the 2013 competition would not only be historic but full of highlights.
"It's great we have a 10-team competition, which promises to be close and exciting and with a variety of events during the season there is plenty to look forward to," O'Dwyer said.
"We would also like to acknowledge the support of the sponsors, as without that backing, the event probably wouldn't happen - certainly not to the same scale as planned now, anyway."
The celebrations will include a memorabilia display at Kiama Leagues Club from July 13-21.
Centenary plaques will be presented to teams in recognition and affiliated clubs have been asked to wear playing strips as close to their original colours as possible.
The major celebration will take place at Michael Cronin Oval on July 13, when the 2GB Continuous Call team will call the local derby between Gerringong Lions and Kiama.
There will also be a gathering of many of the group's Australian and NSW representatives as club officials at the game.
A centenary 'Collage of Champions' will also be unveiled during the season.
According to official records, the league was formed at a meeting at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Nowra on April 26, 1913.
The inaugural season featured just four teams - Nowra Warriors, Kangaroo Valley, Nowra Wallabies and Captains Flat Death Adders (now the Naval College at Jervis Bay).
Warriors won the competition undefeated.
The following season several clubs, some of who had played in the Illawarra League in 1913, joined the competition, which comprised Berry, Bombo, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kangaroo Valley, Kiama, Naval College and Nowra Warriors. Other clubs joined the league in subsequent years.
