Canberra Region Rugby League News

Thu, 18th December, 2025, 13:22 AEDT
Life Membership: Phil Watts
Phil Watts received Life Membership for his long-standing commitment to Canberra Rugby League and coaching.
Canberra Region Rugby League
The CRRL would like to congratulate Phil Watts who was awarded Life Membership at last night's CRRL Annual General Meeting.
Watts commitment to Rugby League in the Canberra Region extends back to the 1960s, where he first became involved as a player until the age of 18.
When his sons were old enough to play in 1989, Phil returned to Rugby League as a coach at the Cowra Junior Rugby League club before moving to the Valley Dragons two years later.

During his time at the Dragons, Watts was an active member of the committee, highlighted in 1994 where he stood for president and was successful, holding the role for seven years and becoming a life member.
In 1998, alongside...
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Tue, 2nd December, 2025, 16:45 AEDT
Canberra club unveils new duo after coach controversy, police investigation
The Woden Valley Rams appointed joint head coaches after misconduct claims blocked previous appointment.
The Canberra Times
The Woden Valley Rams have appointed joint head coaches after the NSW Rugby League stepped in to block their previous appointment.
Rams hierarchy has gone into damage control over their unsuccessful attempt to appoint Ashley Barnes as their Canberra Raiders Cup coach - a year after sacking him over allegedly inappropriate conduct - writing to sponsors to justify their actions.
But Woden Valley chairman Steve Hicks admitted in Monday's email, which has been obtained by The Canberra Times, Barnes' position as Rams coach was untenable once ACT Policing started an investigation.
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Thu, 27th November, 2025, 13:02 AEDT
The surprise team a controversial coaching appointment almost created
Woden Valley women almost joined Queanbeyan Rams; they decided to stay amidst coaching changes.
The Canberra Times
The Queanbeyan Rams. Locker Room can reveal that was almost a Katrina Fanning Shield team in 2026.
The Woden Valley women were considering a move to the Queanbeyan Kangaroos in the wake of the Rams' failed bid to appoint Ashley Barnes as their Canberra Raiders Cup head coach for next year.
But in the end the Woden women decided to stay - although some players could still leave - and the NSW Rugby League stepped in to prevent Barnes' registration as a coach.
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