The S. G. Ball Cup is a junior
rugby league football competition played predominantly in
New South Wales, between teams made up of players aged under 19. Teams from Canberra and Melbourne (Victoria Thunderbolts) also participate. Prior to the
COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales teams from Perth (
West Coast Pirates) and Auckland (
New Zealand Warriors) also participated. The competition is administered by the
New South Wales Rugby League. The competition includes both junior representative teams of NRL and
NSW Cup clubs that do not field a team in the NRL competition.
The S. G. Ball Cup is named after
S. G. "George" Ball, one of the five people responsible for the formation of the
South Sydney Rabbitohs, and who was club secretary for over fifty years.
Clubs
In 2023, 16 clubs fielded teams in the NSWRL S G Ball Cup.
In 2020, 18 clubs fielded teams in the NSWRL S G Ball Cup. After the sixth round on March 14 & 15, the 2020 competition was suspended and subsequently cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[1] The three teams from 2020 that did not return in 2021 were:
Previous teams that participated in the SG Ball Cup include: Gold Coast Titans (2008–09), Melbourne Storm (2009–14), Newtown Jets (1970s, early 1980s & 2009), Western Sydney Academy of Sport (2007–17).
^New South Wales Rugby Football League.
"Souths, Parramatta Share Junior Cup Honours". The Rugby League News. 49 (26 (June 22, 1968)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via Trove.
^New South Wales Rugby Football League.
"Souths Take Junior Cups". The Rugby League News. 50 (22 (June 21, 1969)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via Trove.
^New South Wales Rugby Football League.
"JUNIOR FINALS". The Rugby League News. 51 (26 (June 27, 1970)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via Trove.
^New South Wales Rugby Football League.
"Junior Stars Called Up". The Rugby League News. 52 (24 (July 3, 1971)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via Trove.
^New South Wales Rugby Football League.
"The Juniors - A Goal-Kicking Discovery". The Rugby League News. 53 (23 (June 24, 1972)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via Trove.
^New South Wales Rugby Football League.
"Cup to Balmain". The Rugby League News. 54 (24 (June 23, 1973)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via Trove.