It was a landmark night at the annual Canterbury-Bankstown District Junior Rugby League (CBDJRL) Awards Night on Thursday, 22 October, recognising and celebrating all involved.
Hosted in The Showroom at the Canterbury League Club and emceed by Bill Woods, the 13 affiliated junior Rugby League clubs were represented
Special guests and representatives included:
- Aaron Warburton – CEO, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Kylie Wilkinson MP – State Member for East Hills
- Councillor Bilal El-Hayek – Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown
- John Khoury – Deputy Chairman, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Football Club
- Paul Polly and Peter McMahon – Bulldogs Football Club Board Members
- Elias Coorey – Canterbury League Club Board Member
- Terry Lamb – Bulldogs Club Legend
- Paul Archer OAM – President of the Canterbury Bankstown Referees Association
- Luke Brailey – Patron of the Back to Belmore Project
- Anneka Wilson – Bulldogs NRLW Player and St Christophers junior
- Andrew Mortimer – CBDJRL Chairperson
- John Grealy – Head of Junior League
Representatives of the NSWRL, Canterbury League Club, our corporate partners, Junior League Life Members, club executives, referees and officials were also welcomed on the night, with the room filling over 200 total attendees.
Highlights of the night included the announcement of record participation figures, which saw 4,552 registered players across 282 teams from 13 clubs, with a player growth of 8.4% and a team growth of 11%.
Canterbury League Club continued its $100 junior registration subsidy in 2026 for eligible players aged Under 4 to Under 13. The subsidy remains a significant contribution towards keeping junior rugby league accessible and affordable for local families.
The 2026 CBDJRL Presentation Night
In addition to the annual awards, there were several significant moments to highlight, including the screening of the 'More Than a Game' presentation, which celebrated the return of the Club's Future Bulldogs Grand Finals at Belmore Sports Ground across Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September 2026.
The return to Belmore was a major milestone for the district and provided a fitting connection between the Bulldogs' history and the next generation of junior rugby league players.
Five clubs were recognised for achieving at least 10% junior participation growth, including Bankstown Sports, Berala Bears, newcomers Chipping Norton Kangaroos, Greenacre Tigers and Milperra Colts.
Two additional awards were presented by John Khoury to the Chipping Norton Kangaroos who recorded the highest percentage increase in Under 5–Under 13 registrations, as well as the Berala Bears who had the greatest increase in the actual number of Under 4–Under 13 registrations. Both awards were also accompanied by a $1,000 Sports Hart gift card.
NRLW players and twin sisters Anneka and Leilani Wilson, both proud St Christophers juniors, were recognised for making their respective debuts with the Bulldogs in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
Anneka attended the evening and accepted framed debut photograph on behalf of the pair, with Leilani on representative duty with Fetu Samoa at the Women's Rugby League World Cup.
St Christophers was also presented with a $3,000 contribution in recognition of the club's role in developing both players.
Proud outgoing partner Wattyl and South West Radiology were also recognised with video presentations highlighting their respective contributions of their Clubhouse Makeover initiative and sponsorship of the Bulldogs Junior League Gameday Relay.
The formal presentations concluded by recognising one outstanding volunteer from each of our 13 affiliated clubs, acknowledging the invaluable contribution they make to junior rugby league.
The Bulldogs would like to sincerely congratulate the following CBDJRL 2026 Award Winners:
2026 Award Winners
Individual Player Awards
Presented by Terry Lamb and Jason Aziz (Westpac Gala Day Outstanding Player Award).
Female Junior Player of the Year – Tiamarni Vai
Male Junior Player of the Year – Ayden Hancock (Revesby Heights Rhinos)
Junior League Tag Player of the Year – Alyssa Al Mouri
Female Senior Player of the Year – Lillyarna Suitupe
Male Senior Player of the Year – Lincoln Parmeter (St Christophers)
Senior League Tag Player of the Year – Indiana Elgood (St Christophers)
Westpac Gala Day Outstanding Player Award – Madeena Yatim (Greenacre Tigers)
Club Championships
Presented by Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton:
Female Tackle Club Champions – St George Dragons (58 points)
Female League Tag Club Champions – East Hills Bulldogs (163 points)
Male Club Champions – Greenacre Tigers (286 points)
Overall Female Club Champions – East Hills Bulldogs (163 points)
Overall Club Champions – Greenacre Tigers (381 points)
Junior League Awards
Presented by Annemaree Poole (Karen Folkes Award), Chairman Andrew Mortimer (Sandy Steuerwald Volunteer of the Year Award) and MP Kylie Wilkinson.
Coach of the Year – Marcaino Iuli (Revesby Heights Rhinos)
Secretary of the Year – Ali El Masri (Berala Bears)
Rookie Referee of the Year – Jamal Moussa
Referee of the Year – Reg Marks
Junior League Appreciation Award – Scott Kelly (East Hills Bulldogs)
Karen Folkes Award – Katie Lawrence (Milperra Colts)
Sandy Steuerwald Volunteer of the Year – Jennifer "Jenny" Kiraz (St Johns Eagles)
Club Volunteers of the Year
Bankstown Bulls: Hannah Hani
Bankstown Sports: Bellal Najar
Berala Bears: Omar Sankari
Chester Hill Hornets: Christel Jaggar
Chipping Norton Kangaroos: Lauren Taurima
East Hills Bulldogs: Jessica Henry
Greenacre Tigers: Khadige Kouayder
Milperra Colts: Atelea "Ateh" Nafetalai
Moorebank Rams: Samantha "Sam" Semmens
Revesby Heights Rhinos: Sonia Defina
St Christophers: Catherine Simsic
St George Dragons: Johnny "Papa John" Hajj
St Johns Eagles: Rhonda Andraos
