One hundred years from the meeting that launched the game in Australia, Rugby League this week unveiled a 2008 Centenary year celebration that will provide a springboard to the next century of the greatest game of all.

Historically accurate re-enactments of the August 8, 1907 meeting that gave birth to Rugby League in Australia, and of the later All Golds match, provided the perfect backdrop to the game's Centenary year launch.

The Year 2008 will see such events as tributes to the game's greatest players and greatest teams, a season calendar that will mark the greatest moments in the game's history, a National Museum Exhibition that will travel Australia's East Coast, regional celebrations, a celebration of the birth of the Kangaroos, tributes to the game's volunteers and a host of other activities.

Fans will be able to share in the game's history through heritage jersey ranges, written histories, the most comprehensive video in the game's history, websites and weekly celebrations of the game's past, present and future.

“It's an enormous undertaking that includes celebrations in metropolitan and regional areas,” Centenary Committee Chairman, Mr Colin Love AM, said today.

The call to arms that started it all - from James J Giltinan in 1907 - found voice again today as the members of Actors Centre Australia gathered at the Entertainment Quarter's Hoyts Cinema under the direction of historian Ian Heads to recreate the mood of the first clandestine league meeting at Bateman's Crystal Hotel, George Street, Sydney, on the night of August 8.

The game's next generation then linked with the game's very first - re-enacting the All Golds match that began it all. On the same Agricultural Ground that was used in 1907, students from the William Carey Christian School, the Sutherland Shire Christian School and the Bankstown Grammar School demonstrated the 1908 rules, as adjudicated by Steve Clark and outlined by historian Sean Fagan.

NSWRL and ARL Chairman Mr Colin Love AM and NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop joined officials from each of the game's governing bodies in declaring the Centenary would be a game-wide celebration for every Rugby League fan, participant and volunteer.

“One hundred years ago today James J Giltinan, Henry Hoyle and Victor Trumper advanced a plan that would change the face of sport in Australia,” Mr Love said today.

“The milestones around the 2008 season are many, from the first Premiership matches to the Centenary Test, and there is a place for everyone in those celebrations.”

Mr Gallop said that the Centenary was a chance to bring everyone in Rugby League even closer together. “Whether you follow a team in its second season, such as the Titans, or one that dates back to 1908, you will be a part of an historic year for the game,” Mr Gallop said. “Where we are today is the result of the efforts of generations of players, fans, volunteers and administrators.

“In paying tribute to them it is important that we spend time acknowledging where they have led us - and where we aim to be in the next 100 years.”

The Centenary program has been 18 months in the planning under the direction of a game-wide Centenary Committee chaired by Mr Love and including: David Gallop, the Hon John Fahey, Ross Livermore, Denis Fitzgerald, Geoff Carr, Steve Noyce, Ian Heads, Geoff Armstrong, Paul Kind, Ron Coote, Max Howell and John Brady.

A Centenary Historian's Committee has also gathered the foremost authorities on the sport's history including Ian Heads, David Middleton, Sean Fagan, Max Howell, Geoff Armstrong, Alan Clarkson and Gary Lester to advise on every aspect of the Centenary planning.

The Queensland Rugby League has supported the year with a local Centenary Committee that will integrate a range of activities across the state into the game-wide calendar.

“A lot of work has gone in to ensure that we acknowledge the Queensland pioneers and the interstate rivalries that have been at the heart of the game's success,” QRL Chairman, Mr John McDonald, said. “We're delighted by the enthusiasm shown by all QRL Divisions and it's going to be a great year for the game.”

The year-long calendar of celebrations will incorporate key moments in each club's history, landmark events in the Telstra Premiership, the Centenary Test, the Centenary year State of Origin series and, finally, the Centenary World Cup.

“It's a huge program to undertake, one that will ensure a year-long celebration that will in itself live on in the memory of fans and players alike,” Mr Love said.

2008 RUGBY LEAGUE CENTENARY NEWS & UPDATES