Rugby League was first played as a competition in Tennant Creek in the 1938 - 39 period. There were two or perhaps three teams who contested for the `Dolly Pot Cup'. Survivors of that competition are Len Kittle and Jack Nelson now living in Alice Springs. The Dolly Pot Cup is still in existence and is usually held at the Tennant Creek Memorial Club. It is competed for Baseball.

The game commenced in 1940. There were three teams which grew to about 10 - 12 by 1941. The newcomers were service teams. Regular games were held throughout the war years and included an `interstate' visit to Mount Isa. The players were all service personnel with former International Ray Stehr paying the administration / organiser role. Stehr spotted Lionel Cooper in Darwin games and encouraged him to try out in Sydney after the war. Cooper went on to play for Australia.

Local identities state the area near the Ski Club was used for Rugby League. It is said that at extra high tide the pitch was subject to flooding. Ray Stehr said the game was played at the 13 mile and 27 mile camps.Formers N.S.W secretary Ken Stephens told the author he played at coconut Grove.

During 1949 there were one or two "Scratch" games organized by expatriate N.S.W and Qld men who has arrived in Darwin to take part in the post war reconstruction.

The Commonwealth Public Service expanded rapidly with both administrative and day labour staff. The Armed Services still had a strong presence and firms such as John Stubbs and Co imported labour from their Sydney workshops to build such constructions as nurse's quarters at Larrakeyah, Peel Street Hostel and Woods Street Flats. Stubbs billeted their single in what is now the Officers Mess at Larrakeyah Barracks. Darwin in 1950 has a population of 7000 of whom a large population were single men. Qantas had a large contingent who services B.O.A.C and Qantas piston engine aircraft who used Darwin for a refuelling base. Qantas also maintained a large hostel at Berrimah which double as accommodation for staff and emergency stopovers for overseas passenger. Accordingly when enthusiasts called a meeting late in 1950 there was little difficulty in forming 5 teams.

These were: Wallabies, Qantas, Army, Navy and R.A.A.F

At no time between the period 1960-1961 were funds made available by any Government body.The construction of the Geddes Stand incurred a debt of $40,000.00 to the Commonwealth Bank. It is understood that about 1982 or 1983 the League gained a non interest loan from the Northern Territory Government in order to pay off the Commonwealth Bank. The development of Richardson Park during the year period 1960-1980 was carried out with volunteer labour and Rugby League Funds. Exceptions were the manufacture of the light poles and the final wiring of the lights. Even then the poles which were transported to Darwin form Brisbane in 2 pieces were welded on site and erected by volunteer labour. The holding blocks were poured by volunteer labour and the wiring access from the control point to poles was dug by volunteers. The R.S.L Stand was built by volunteer labour using materials donated by the R.S.L Club.

Frank Geddes 21st November 1990

The Geddes Stand was designed and built by volunteer labour with the exception of internal plastering and electrical wiring. The major drainage works were to alleviate the salt problem were carried out by contractors however the supervision was done by voluntary labour. Final grassing of the drainage points was carried out by hand (in the rain) by volunteer labour.

The Northern Territory Rugby League was known as the Darwin Rugby League. This was brought about by Alice Springs, Katherine and Nhulunbuy beginning their own competitions. The earliest of which was Alice Springs (now CARFL) which officially began in 1963, graduating to inter-town games by 1965.