Wests Tigers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
 Wests Tigers 

Club information
Full name	Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Tigers, Wests
Website	weststigers.com.au
Colours	Black      White      Gold
Founded	27 July 1999 (joint-venture of the Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies)
Current details
Ground(s)	Campbelltown Stadium (18,000) Leichhardt Oval (20,000)
CEO	Shane Richardson
Chairman	Barry O'Farrell (Interim)
Coach	Benji Marshall
Captain	Apisai Koroisau & Jarome Luai
Competition	National Rugby League
2024 season	17th
Uniforms
Home colours Away colours
Records
Premierships	1 (2005)
Runners-up	0
Minor premiership	0
Wooden spoons	3 (2022, 2023, 2024)
Most capped	277 - Robbie Farah
Highest points scorer	1181 - Benji Marshall

The Wests Tigers is a professional rugby league team from Sydney, Australia. They play in the National Rugby League (NRL). The club was formed in 1999 when two older teams, the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs Magpies, joined together.

The Wests Tigers started playing in the 2000 NRL season. They won their first championship (called a premiership) in 2005. They also won the World Sevens tournament in 2004. Since they began, the team has only made it to the finals three times: in 2005, 2010, and 2011.

The Wests Tigers play their home games at two different stadiums: Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium. Their current coach is Benji Marshall, and the club's CEO is Shane Richardson.

Club History

How the Club Started

Rugby league began in Australia in 1908. Two of the first teams were from Balmain and Western Suburbs. These teams played against each other in the very first round of the competition. Balmain won that game.

The Balmain club, known as the Tigers, was a strong team for many years. They won eleven championships. However, by the 1990s, many new clubs were joining the league. This made it harder for older clubs to keep up. The Western Suburbs club, known as the Magpies, also had a tough time in the 1990s. They had won four championships in the past.

To survive in the top league, many clubs had to change. In 1998, the different rugby league competitions joined to form the National Rugby League (NRL). The NRL decided to have fewer teams. This meant some clubs had to merge (join together) or leave the competition.

Forming the Wests Tigers

The NRL offered money to clubs that merged. Both Balmain and Western Suburbs looked at different options. They decided that joining together would be the best way to stay strong. In June 1999, both clubs agreed to form a new team.

The new club was called the Wests Tigers. It combined the Magpies' name (Wests) and the Tigers' mascot. The team's colors mix the black and white of Western Suburbs with the black and gold of Balmain. The new club was owned equally by both original teams. They chose a board of directors with members from both sides. John Chalk was the first chairman, and Steve Noyce became the CEO.

Playing Seasons Overview

Early Years (2000-2002)

Wayne Pearce was the first coach of the Wests Tigers in 2000. The team surprised many people by playing well and staying high on the ladder for most of the year. However, injuries to key players caused them to drop out of the top eight. A player named Joel Caine was the top point-scorer in the NRL that year.

In 2001, Terry Lamb became the coach. This was a difficult season for the team. Some players faced issues off the field, including problems with banned substances. Another player, John Hopoate, was suspended for serious misconduct. The team struggled and finished near the bottom of the ladder. Terry Lamb's contract was not renewed.

For the 2003 season, Tim Sheens was chosen as the new coach. Many people were unsure about this choice because of his past coaching record.

Tim Sheens Era (2003-2012)

Under Tim Sheens, the team started to focus on developing young players. In 2003, a talented schoolboy named Benji Marshall made his debut. The team improved in 2004, with new players like Brett Hodgson and Pat Richards joining the young talent. They almost made the finals but lost their last few games.

Winning the Premiership (2005)

The 2005 NRL season was the Wests Tigers' best year. They made it to the finals for the first time and finished fourth in the regular season. They also set new attendance records at their home grounds.

At the start of the season, few people thought the Tigers would win the championship. But they won eight games in a row and became known for their exciting, fast-paced style of play.

In the finals, they beat the North Queensland Cowboys 50–6. Then they defeated the Brisbane Broncos and the St. George Illawarra Dragons to reach the Grand Final. They played the Cowboys again in the Grand Final. The Tigers won 30–16, with Scott Prince winning the best player award (Clive Churchill Medal). This win was special because they were one of the few teams to win a premiership in their first finals appearance.

After the Premiership (2006-2012)

After their big win, some key players left the club. The team struggled with injuries in 2006, especially to Benji Marshall and Brett Hodgson. They just missed out on the finals.

The next few seasons were also tough. The Tigers finished ninth or tenth in 2007, 2008, and 2009, narrowly missing the finals each time. In 2008, the club signed Gareth Ellis, a strong international player.

Off the field, there were some changes in leadership. The CEO, Steve Noyce, stepped down in 2008. After a few temporary leaders, Stephen Humphreys became the new CEO in 2009.

In 2010, the Wests Tigers signed rugby union star Lote Tuqiri. The team had a great season, finishing third. They almost made the Grand Final but lost by one point to the Dragons. In 2011, they again made the semi-finals but were defeated by the New Zealand Warriors.

In 2012, despite being expected to do well, the Tigers finished tenth and missed the finals. Tim Sheens, the premiership-winning coach, left the club at the end of the season.

Mick Potter Era (2013-2014)

Mick Potter took over as head coach in 2013. The team did not perform well, finishing 15th in 2013 and 13th in 2014.

During this time, there were more changes in the club's leadership. CEO Stephen Humphreys left in 2013. Also, Benji Marshall decided to leave the club at the end of 2013 to play rugby union. Mick Potter's contract was not renewed after the 2014 season.

Changes in Ownership (2014)

In 2014, the club faced financial challenges. The NRL stepped in to help restructure the ownership. A new board of directors was appointed. Jason Taylor was named the new coach for the 2015 season.

Jason Taylor Era (2015-2017)

Jason Taylor's first season in 2015 saw the team finish 15th. Off the field, there were ongoing issues with the club's ownership and finances. There were also reports of disagreements between the coach and the team captain, Robbie Farah. Farah eventually left the club at the end of 2016.

In 2016, the club's ownership was finally settled. Wests Ashfield Leagues Club became the majority owner (75%), with Balmain retaining 25%. This helped resolve many of the financial issues.

In 2017, several key players were considering leaving the club. After some heavy losses, Jason Taylor was dismissed as head coach early in the season. Assistant coach Andrew Webster took over temporarily.

Ivan Cleary Era (2017-2018)

Ivan Cleary was appointed as the new coach in April 2017. He famously told the players they were "either on the bus, or you are off it," which became a popular slogan. The team finished 14th in 2017.

In 2018, the Tigers started well but then had a mid-season slump. They finished ninth, just missing the finals. Towards the end of the season, rumors spread that Ivan Cleary would leave to return to another club. He officially left in October 2018.

Michael Maguire Era (2019-2022)

After Cleary's departure, Michael Maguire was announced as the new coach. He changed the team's slogan to "This is Our Jungle."

Salary Cap Issues (2018-2019)

In December 2018, the NRL announced that the Wests Tigers had broken rules about how much money they could pay players (salary cap). This was related to an offer made to Robbie Farah when he left the club. The club was fined, and CEO Justin Pascoe was suspended for six months. The club appealed, and the fine was reduced.

Seasons 2019-2022

In 2019, the Wests Tigers played some home games at the new Western Sydney Stadium. They finished ninth again, missing the finals for the sixth time since the joint venture began. This was also Robbie Farah's final game.

The 2020 NRL season was interrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Games were played without fans for a while. The team finished 11th. Chris Lawrence and Benji Marshall both retired from the club at the end of the season. In a unique move, the club also had a "player swap" with the Melbourne Storm, where two players traded clubs for the season.

In October 2020, the ownership structure changed again. Wests Ashfield Leagues Club became 90% owner, and Balmain Tigers became 10% owner.

The 2021 NRL season brought new players, but the team struggled, finishing 13th. Despite talks of his removal, Michael Maguire remained coach for 2022.

The 2022 NRL season was very difficult. Key players were injured, and the team had only three wins by mid-season. Michael Maguire was dismissed as coach in June. Brett Kimmorley took over as interim coach. The team suffered their heaviest loss in club history (72–6) and finished last, earning their first "Wooden Spoon" (meaning they finished at the very bottom of the ladder).

Tim Sheens Returns (2023)

Before the end of 2022, it was announced that Tim Sheens would return as head coach for 2023. This was his second time coaching the club.

Coaching Future

The club also announced that former players Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah would join the coaching team. Benji Marshall was set to take over as head coach in 2025.

Season 2023

The 2023 NRL season started poorly, with the team losing their first five games. This was the second year in a row they had done this. The club also faced criticism for using a stock image of American soldiers on a special ANZAC jersey.

In Round 9, the Tigers had a big upset win against the Penrith Panthers. Later, in Round 12, they had their biggest win of the season, beating the North Queensland Cowboys 66–18. However, in Round 18, they suffered a massive 74–0 loss to the same Cowboys team, which was one of the biggest losses in rugby league history.

In August 2023, Tim Sheens asked to step down as head coach at the end of the season. This meant Benji Marshall would become head coach earlier, starting in 2024. Fans showed their unhappiness with the club's management by displaying banners at games. The Wests Tigers finished last again in 2023, earning their second consecutive Wooden Spoon.

Club Review and New Leadership (2023)

After two Wooden Spoons, the club started a review of its football operations. In December 2023, the entire board of directors was stood down, and CEO Justin Pascoe resigned. Shane Richardson was appointed interim CEO, and Barry O'Farrell, a former politician, returned as interim chairman.

Benji Marshall Era (2024–)

Benji Marshall officially became the head coach for the 2024 season. He brought in John Morris as an assistant coach.

The 2024 NRL season was another tough one for the club. They won only six matches and had a nine-game losing streak. In the final round, they lost to Parramatta, which meant they finished with the Wooden Spoon for the third year in a row.

Despite the tough season, Shane Richardson's role as CEO was made permanent. The club also announced new major sponsors, Pepper Money and Pama, for the 2025 season. New independent directors were appointed to the board, and Barry O'Farrell was voted in as the full-time Chair.

In 2024, there were reports about the joint venture possibly ending, with either Balmain or Western Suburbs taking full control. However, these reports have not been confirmed.

Club Ownership and Board

The Wests Tigers are a "joint venture" club. This means they are owned by two different groups that used to be separate rugby league clubs: Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers.

Holman Barnes Group

This group runs several clubs, including Wests Ashfield Leagues Club. They are the main financial supporters of the Wests Tigers team, besides the money the NRL provides and corporate sponsorships.

Balmain Tigers Rugby League Football Club Ltd

The Balmain Tigers were one of the original rugby league clubs, started in 1908. They won 11 championships. Their Leagues Club closed in 2010. In 2019, the Balmain Leagues Club and Wests Ashfield Leagues Club officially joined together.

Former Owners

Wests Campbelltown League Club was also involved in the ownership until 2013. They sold their shares to Wests Ashfield but still support the team as a sponsor.

Board of Directors

The club's board can have up to nine members. As of June 2025, the board includes:

• Barry O'Farrell - Independent - Chair
• Stephen Montgomery - Holman Barnes nominee
• Danny Stapleton - Balmain Tigers nominee
• Dennis (Denny) Burgess - Wests Magpies nominee
• Leo Epifania - Wests Magpies General Manager
• Charlie Viola - Independent
• Michelle McDowell - Independent
• Annabelle Williams OAM - Independent

Home Grounds

The Wests Tigers do not have just one home stadium. They play games at several different grounds each year.

Their main home grounds are Campbelltown Sports Stadium and Leichhardt Oval. Each of these stadiums hosts about five games per season. These grounds are about 50 kilometers apart and are in the areas where the original Magpies and Tigers teams were based.

The club also plays one "home" game each year at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for the Magic Round. In the past, they have played home games at other stadiums like the Sydney Football Stadium and Accor Stadium. From 2019 to 2023, they played home games at Commbank Stadium. Starting in 2025, they will continue to play at Commbank Stadium, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, and Leichhardt Oval.

Other places where the Wests Tigers have played home games include:

• Lancaster Park, Christchurch (2004–2006)
• Scully Park, Tamworth (2018–2024)
• Sydney Cricket Ground (2008–2020)
• Allianz Stadium (2009–2013)

Team Look and Sponsors

The Wests Tigers' name and logo combine elements from both original clubs. The team's uniform colors are a mix of black and white (from Western Suburbs) and black and gold (from Balmain). The logo features a tiger head and used to have a 'V' shape from Wests. There was also a magpie on the sleeves of the jersey.

In 2021, the Wests Tigers updated their logo to a simpler design. This new logo is easier to use for digital formats and came with the team's move to a new training base.

Kit Sponsors and Manufacturers

Main Partners

• Pepper Money (Major Partner)
• PlayUp, Steeden, Allied Express, Victoria Bitter, Holman Barnes Group, Pama, Elmo, Zurich (Premier Partners)
• Hertz, ISRI, Wests Campbelltown, Ticketek, McDonald's, Haymes Paint, LC Wealth, Gavmanak (Platinum Partners)
• Binet Homes, Liverpool Catholic Club (Gold Partners)

Team Statistics

The Wests Tigers have played many seasons in the NRL. Here's a look at their performance:

* Average home crowd

Finals Appearances

The Wests Tigers have made it to the finals 3 times:

• 2005
• 2010
• 2011

Current Squad (2025)

New Players and Departures for 2025

Team Records

Robbie Farah has played the most games for the Wests Tigers, with 277 appearances.

The highest point-scorer for the club is Benji Marshall, with 1181 points. Other top scorers include Brett Hodgson (786 points) and Joel Caine (526 points). In 2005, Brett Hodgson set a record for the most points scored by a fullback in one season (308 points).

David Nofoaluma has scored the most tries for the Wests Tigers, with 100 tries.

Team of the Century

In 2004, the Wests Tigers announced their Team of the Century. This team included the best players from both the Balmain and Western Suburbs clubs. It had nine players from Balmain and eight from Western Suburbs.

Team Captains

Since 2000, 25 players have been captains for the Wests Tigers. The current captain is Apisai Koroisau.

Team Coaches

The Wests Tigers have had 11 coaches since 2000. The current coach is Benji Marshall.

Club Honours

• NRL Premiership: 1
  • 2005

Pre-season and Youth Titles

• Rugby League World Sevens: 1
  • 2004
• Foundation Cup: 1
  • 2011
• Under-20s Premiership: 1
  • 2012

New South Wales Rugby League Titles

• Harold Matthews Cup: 1
  • 2022
• NSW Women's Premiership: 1
  • 2022

See also

In Spanish: Wests Tigers para niños