Not long after Rugby League's introduction in 1908, unofficial and pick-up matches were played in the Canterbury district, sowing the seeds for a first-grade side to be formed.
Canterbury was the home of the earliest timber getters, splitters and shingle makers, the forefathers of the area toughened timber cutters and farmers.
In 1909, the first reported junior Rugby League side in the district, Campsie Juniors, took out the St George District B Grade competition.
Twelve years later, at a meeting in a hall above 'The Ideal Milk Bar' in Beamish Street - opposite Campsie Railway Station - the Canterbury-Bankstown Junior League was established for 1922.
Before a first-grade side could be formed, Canterbury-Bankstown had to convince the New South Wales Rugby League that the area was capable of supporting a strong and virile junior competition, sufficient to provide a competitive President's Cup team.
Less than a decade later, the President's Cup team took out the competition in 1931, and talks began of fielding a first-grade team.
After a series of meetings with adjoining clubs and a special committee of the NSWRFL, Canterbury-Bankstown officials were advised on September 25, 1934 that they had been successful ahead of the NSWRFL 1935.
While the Club had selected Belmore Oval, then known as 'Campsie-Belmore Oval' as their headquarters, the NSWRL allowed the club to compete despite the fact it wasn't fit for use.
Preparing the Club for its first season was exciting, yet far from glamorous. Training was held at McMahon's paddock, a rough section of ground near Belmore station which players referred to as 'an old cow paddock'.
Lighting proved to be an issue, with the car lights of supporters at times the only way for the team to avoid potholes while training at night.
Despite these setbacks, the camaraderie was strong amongst the Canterbury players, with hardships uniting them - most of whom were local juniors, or those from Western Suburbs who joined due to the residential rule.
Head Coach Ed 'Tedda' Courtney came from a reputable pedigree; playing 180 games for Wests, Newtown and Norths, and was one of the competition's pioneering players in 1908; playing 10 Tests for Australia.
On April 25, 1935, thirteen pioneering players took the field for the very first time in Blue and White jerseys with large thick bars onto North Sydney Oval, a nice contrast to Norths' Black and Red.
The very first team was as follows; George Main, Vic Dwyer, Jack Morrison (Captain), Sid Elliott, Basil Crawford, Tom Carey, Harry Brown, Frank Sponberg, Jack McConnell, Alan Wellington, Fred Chaplin, Bob Lindfield, Jack Hartwell Snr.
Despite being a perfect April day bathed in sunshine, the side was defeated after a promising start, 20-5, with Jack Hartwell Snr holding the distinction as the Club's very first try scorer in first-grade.
The match report from the Sydney Morning Herald described the match:
NORTH SYDNEY V CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN
Played at North Sydney Oval, North Sydney winning by 20 points to five.
Playing its initial competition match, Canterbury0Bankstown did well to hold the home team in the first half, but faded in the final stages, when lack of experience told, and North Sydney had a comfortable margin at the finish.
North Sydney led at half-time by ten points to five, after Canterbury-Bankstown had had the better of matters territorially, the new club failing to take advantage of former Western Suburbs "hooker," Lindfield's supremacy in the scrums. With more success in the scrum exchanges during the second half North Sydney's superiority was marked.
North Sydney played splendidly at times, a feature being the penetrating runs of centre three-quarter Deitz. He was well supported by Abel, who proved himself the best of the new recruits, and the pair should develop into a useful combination. Deitz and Abel each scored a try in the second half, and the latter save the large attendance the biggest thrill of the day by drop-kicking a great goal from a penalty near half-way. Others to do well for North were the halves. Thompson and Harrison, who showed dash behind the scrums. The home forwards had the biggest test, for they were opposed to a pack which included seasoned players in McConnell, Lindfield, Sponberg, and Hartwell, and they gave a good amount of themselves, holding the visitors.
Ferrier showed himself an opportunist by being on the spot to score both of North Sydney's tries in the first half. They were converted by Thompson, who also kicked the goal following Dietz's try in the second half. Canterbury-Bankstown's only try was scored by Hartwell. It followed a fine dash by Brown, which was one of the best efforts by the new combination. Carey at half-back tried hard to set his backs moving, but without much success. The captain, Morrison, in the centre, was most prominent in defence.
Scorers: - For North Sydney. Ferrier (2), Abel and Deitz tries. Thompson converted three, and Abel kicked a penalty goal. For Canterbury-Bankstown. Hartwell scored a try, and Carey kicked a penalty goal.
The following weeks would prove to be a hard adjustment to the fledgling side with some tough lessons learned; there was still light at the end of the tunnel, however, and on 22 June, Canterbury-Bankstown recorded its very first victory in first-grade.
After a 21-2 three-tries-to-none performance against University, in the penultimate round of the season, the side's second victory came, also against University, 16-15.
By the end of the season, Canterbury had scored 22 tries, kicked 42 goals for 150 points, but had 140 tries and 120 goals scored against for a total of 660 points - finishing in 8th position just behind University.
Despite the results, Club officials took charge and went on a search for talent for 1936, despite an unpopular practice in League circles at the time, it brought the Club a new reputation and a new name.
Proud Past, Strong Future: Celebrating 90 Years
Season 1936 could be considered as historic as the Club's inaugural year; they finally had a home, made the semi-finals for the very first time and made their first big recruitment drive; which would soon be a staple.
Belmore hosted their very first Semi-Final match, where Canterbury fought bravely against the champion Easts side in a valiant effort - one that kick-started a period of early success for the fledgling Club.
After a breakthrough season in 1936, new Head Coach George Mason - the third in as many years - was unable to continue the momentum into another post-season appearance.
With the NSWRFL shortening the season to just eight matches to accommodate the Kangaroo Tour, Canterbury were unable to gain momentum, finishing in fifth place with an equal amount of wins and losses.
But just four years into their existence in the NSWRFL, Canterbury-Bankstown held aloft the Premiership trophy following a 19-6 defeat of heavyweights Easts as the competition celebrated its 30th year.
