NPL Men's NNSW - History

NNSW Men's State Leagues

Northern NSW Football's top tier men's competition has undergone a number of changes throughout its history.

It started in 1886 as the Newcastle & Northern District competition before becoming the NSW State League in 1928.

The Northern First Division was founded in 1959 before evolving into the Northern NSW State League in 1998.

In 2014, the competition evolved into its current version - National Premier League Men's Northern NSW.

Talk a walk back through the various eras below.

If you spot something that needs correcting, have information to add or would like to share a story, we would love to hear from you. 

Contact us 

Premiers + Champions Photos

NPL Men's NNSW (from 2014)

YearPremiersChampionsGrand FinalPlayer of the Grand Final (DG Williams Medal)Relegated
2026Broadmeadow MagicWeston BearsWeston Bears 2-0 Maitland FC @ Darling Street OvalLuke McCormick (Weston Bears)Charlestown Azzurri
2025Broadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic

Broadmeadow Magic 2-0 Lambton Jaffas

@ Darling Street Oval

Jack Simmons (Broadmeadow Magic)New Lambton FC
2024Broadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic

Broadmeadow Magic 2-2 (4-3p) Edgeworth Eagles

@ Magic Park

Tom Beecham (Broadmeadow Magic)Lake Macquarie City FC
2023Lambton JaffasLambton JaffasLambton Jaffas 2-1 Broadmeadow Magic @ Jack McLaughlan OvalRiley McNaughton (Lambton Jaffas)N/A
2022Maitland FCLambton JaffasLambton Jaffas 1-0 Maitland FC @No.2 Sports GroundKale Bradbery (Lambton Jaffas)N/A
2021Lambton Jaffas

Finals series cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

 

N/A
2020Edgeworth EaglesEdgeworth EaglesEdgeworth Eagles 1-0 Maitland FC @ No.2 Sports GroundDylan Holz (Edgeworth Eagles)N/A
2019Maitland FCEdgeworth EaglesEdgeworth Eagles 2-0 Maitland FC @Magic ParkJosh Evans (Edgeworth Eagles)N/A
2018Edgeworth EaglesBroadmeadow Magic

Broadmeadow Magic 3-0 Edgeworth Eagles

@ McDonald Jones Stadium

John Majurovski (Broadmeadow Magic)N/A
2017Edgeworth EaglesLambton Jaffas

Lambton Jaffas 2-0 (AET) Edgeworth Eagles

@ McDonald Jones Stadium

Luke Remington (Lambton Jaffas)N/A
2016Edgeworth EaglesEdgeworth EaglesEdgeworth Eagles 2-1 Broadmeadow Magic @ Magic ParkDaniel McBreen (Edgeworth Eagles)N/A
2015Edgeworth EaglesEdgeworth EaglesEdgeworth Eagles 2-0 Hamilton Olympic @ Magic ParkLuke Walker (Edgeworth Eagles)South Cardiff FC
2014Newcastle Jets YouthLambton JaffasLambton Jaffas 2-0 Weston Bears @ Jack McLaughlan OvalJobe Wheelhouse (Lambton Jaffas)Lake Macquarie City FC

NNSW State League Era (1998 to 2013)

YearPremiersChampionsGrand FinalPlayer of the Grand Final (DG Williams Medal)Relegated
2013Broadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic 4-1 Lambton JaffasDaniel Casciaroli (Broadmeadow Magic)Valentine FC
2012Hamilton OlympicBroadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic 4-1 Hamilton OlympicJosh Piddington (Broadmeadow Magic)West Wallsend SFC
2011Broadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic 4-4 (4-3p) South Cardiff FCChris Berlin (Broadmeadow Magic)N/A - Competition expanded from eight to 10 teams. (Newcastle Jets Youth added to competition, Charlestown City Blues promoted)
2010Weston Workers FCEdgeworth EaglesEdgeworth Eagles 4-2 Weston Workers FCShane Knight (Edgeworth Eagles)Toronto Awaba FC
2009Edgeworth EaglesHamilton OlympicHamilton Olympic 2-1 Valentine PhoenixMurray Fletcher (Hamilton Olympic)N/A
2008Broadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic 0-0 (4-3p) Azzurri FCBrad Waters (Broadmeadow Magic)Azzurri FC + Lake Macquarie FC (due to competition restructure)
2007Lake Macquarie CityHamilton OlympicHamilton Olympic 1-0 Edgeworth EaglesAaron Thompson (Hamilton Olympic)Adamstown Rosebud
2006Edgeworth EaglesLake Macquarie City FCLake Macquarie City FC 4-1 Edgeworth EaglesAshley RyanN/A
2005Broadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic 2-1 South Cardiff FCBen Kennedy (Broadmeadow Magic)Cessnock Hornets
2004Weston Workers FCBroadmeadow MagicBroadmeadow Magic 3-1 Weston Workers FCDavid Baillie (Broadmeadow Magic)N/A
2003Broadmeadow MagicEdgeworth EaglesEdgeworth Eagles 2-1 Broadmeadow MagicRyan SmithN/A
2002Edgeworth EaglesHighfields AzzurriHighfields Azzurri 1-0 (AET) Edgeworth EaglesPeter WoodMaitland FC
2001Broadmeadow MagicHamilton OlympicHamilton Olympic 2-0 Highfields AzzurriLiam BakerWest Wallsend SFC
2000Edgeworth EaglesHamilton OlympicHamilton Olympic 3-0 Edgeworth EaglesBenn LaneWallsend Red Devils + Belmont Swansea United
1999Edgeworth EaglesHamilton OlympicHamilton Olympic 4-0 Adamstown RosebudBenn LaneN/A
1998Edgeworth EaglesHamilton OlympicHamilton Olympic 2-1 Broadmeadow MagicDavid FaheyN/A

Northern First Division (1959-1997)

YearPremiersChampionsGrand Final ResultGrand Final Runner UpVenue
1997Broadmeadow MagicHighfield Azzurri3 - 1Broadmeadow MagicEdgeworth
1996WestonHighfield Azzurri3 - 2WestonBirmingham Gardens
1995Highfield Azzurri Weston4 - 0WallsendBirmingham Gardens
1994Highfield Azzurri Highfield Azzurri 2 - 1Wickham CroatiaBirmingham Gardens
1993Highfield Azzurri Highfield Azzurri 3 - 0Lake MacquarieBirmingham Gardens
1992Highfield Azzurri West Wallsend *2 - 1Wickham CroatiaBirmingham Gardens
1991Adamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud0 - 0WestonMacquarie Field
Grand Final ReplayAdamstown Rosebud1 - 1WestonMacquarie Field
1990Adamstown RosebudWeston2 - 2Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
1989Adamstown RosebudWeston1 - 0Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
1988Adamstown RosebudWest Wallsend2 - 1Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
1987Adamstown RosebudAustral United3 - 2Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
1986West WallsendBelmont Swansea0 - 0West WallsendMacquarie Field
1885Belmont SwanseaWest Wallsend2 - 1Belmont SwanseaMacquarie Field
1984CardiffWeston0 - 0West WallsendMacquarie Field
1983Central Coast AssociationWeston3 - 0Central Coast AssociationInternational Sports Centre
1982Lake MacquarieWeston2 - 0West WallsendInternational Sports Centre
1981Stewarts & Lloyd Weston1 - 0Stewarts & Lloyd Macquarie Field
1980WestonStewarts & Lloyd *2 - 0WallsendInternational Sports Centre
1979EdgeworthHighfield Azzurri3 - 2WestonInternational Sports Centre
1978EdgeworthEdgeworth2 - 0Weston 
1977WestonWeston1 - 0EdgeworthCrystal Palace
1976Adamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud3 - 0WallsendMacquarie Field
1975Adamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud1 - 1WestonMacquarie Field
Grand Final ReplayAdamstown Rosebud2 - 1WestonMacquarie Field
1974New LambtonWeston3 - 2Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
1973WestonWeston4 - 1Adamstown RosebudCrystal Palace
1972WestonWeston3 - 0Toronto Awaba 
1971WestonWeston5 - 0WallsendMacquarie Field
1970Adamstown RosebudBelmont Swansea4 - 3Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
1969Hamilton AzzurriNewcastle Austral3 - 2WestonMacquarie Field
1968Adamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud4 - 2Lake MacquarieMacquarie Field
1967Newcastle AustralLake Macquarie2 - 2Newcastle Austral 
Grand Final ReplayLake Macquarie6 - 3Newcastle AustralCrystal Palace
1966Adamstown RosebudNewcastle Austral1 - 1Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
Grand Final ReplayNewcastle Austral2 - 1Adamstown RosebudCrystal Palace
1965WallsendWallsend3 - 1Adamstown RosebudMacquarie Field
1964Lake MacquarieAwaba4 - 2WallsendMacquarie Field
1963WallsendAwaba2 - 2West WallsendCrystal Palace
Grand Final ReplayAwaba4 - 1West WallsendMacquarie Field
1962Adamstown RosebudLake Macquarie5 - 0AwabaCrystal Palace
1961AwabaAdamstown Rosebud2 - 0Lake MacquarieCrystal Palace
1960CessnockCessnock2 - 0WallsendCrystal Palace
1959West WallsendWallsend4 - 0West Wallsend 

NSW State League (1928-1958)

YearCompetitionPremiersChampionsGrand Final ResultGrand Final Runner UpGrand Final Venue
1958NNSW State LeagueCessnockAdamstown Rosebud2 - 1CessnockNewcastle Sports Ground
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership FinalCessnock4 - 2Leichhardt AnnandaleCrystal Palace
1957NNSW State LeagueWallsendCorrimal Rangers3 - 1WallsendMcArthur Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Final Corrimal Rangers2 - 2WallsendCorrimal
NNSW State LeagueGrand Final ReplayWallsend5 - 0Corrimal RangersCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueState Challenge FinalWallsend Corrimal RangersWallsend won by forfeit
1956NNSW State LeagueCessnockCorrimal Rangers3 - 2WallsendLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Final Cessnock4 - 2Leichhardt AnnandaleArlington Oval
NNSW State LeagueState Challenge FinalCessnock2 - 0Corrimal RangersLambert Park
1955NNSW State LeagueCessnockCessnock2 - 1Corrimal RangersLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Final Corrimal Rangers8 - 1West WallsendCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueNorthern FinalWest Wallsend3 - 2CessnockCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueState Challenge FinalCorrimal Rangers11 - 3CessnockLambert Park
1954 NNSW State LeagueCessnockAuburn5 - 3WallsendLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Final Cessnock3 - 2Corrimal RangersLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Challenge FinalCessnock2 - 0AuburnNewcastle Sports Ground
1953NNSW State LeagueEast LakesWallsend4 - 1CessnockCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Play OffGranville1 - 1East LakesLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueGrand Final ReplayGranville4 - 2East LakesCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueState Final Wallsend1 - 0AuburnCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueState Challenge FinalWallsend2 - 1GranvilleLambert Park
1952NNSW State LeagueWallsendGranville6 - 1AuburnLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Challenge FinalGranville3 - 2WallsendLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership FinalWallsend1 - 1GranvilleSydney Sports Ground
NNSW State LeagueGrand Final ReplayWallsend3 - 0GranvilleCrystal Palace
1951NNSW State LeagueWallsendWallsend8 - 0GranvilleSydney Sports Ground
1950NNSW State LeagueLeichhardt AnnandaleGranville7 - 1WallsendSydney Sports Ground
1949NNSW State LeagueLeichhardt AnnandaleLeichhardt Annandale5 - 1WallsendCrystal Palace
1948NNSW State LeagueAdamstown RosebudLeichhardt Annandale5 - 1GranvilleLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Final Adamstown Rosebud5 - 2Leichhardt Annandale Arlington Oval 
1947NNSW State LeagueLake MacquarieLeichhardt Annandale 2 - 2Adamstown RosebudCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueGrand Final ReplayLeichhardt Annandale4 - 2Adamstown RosebudLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Final Lake Macquarie4 - 2Leichhardt AnnandaleLambert Park
1946NNSW State LeagueWest WallsendCanterbury Bankstown3 - 2Lake MacquarieArlington Oval
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Final Leichhardt Annandale2 - 1West WallsendArlington Oval
1945NNSW State LeagueWallsendWallsend2 - 1Canterbury BankstownCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueNorthern Premiership Play OffWallsend4 - 3Belmont SwanseaAdamstown
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership Play FinalCanterbury Bankstown3 - 0WallsendSydney Cricket Ground
1944NNSW State LeagueMettersWallsend5 - 2Woonona BulliArlington Oval
1943NNSW State LeagueWallsendWallsend9 - 0Leichhardt AnnandaleCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeaguePremiership Final Wallsend4 - 2Leichhardt AnnandaleArlington Oval
1942NNSW State LeagueWallsendLeichhardt Annandale3 - 2WallsendLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership FinalWallsend7 - 2Leichhardt AnnnandaleCrystal Palace
1941NNSW State LeagueMettersWallsend3 - 2Adamstown RosebudCrystal Palace
1940NNSW State LeagueMettersAdamstown Rosebud1 - 0MettersCrystal Palace
1939NNSW State LeagueGoodyearMetters5 - 2WestonLambert Park
1938NNSW State LeagueGoodyearWallsend7 - 1St GeorgeAdamstown
1937NNSW State LeagueGoodyearWallsend1 - 1GoodyearLambert Park
NNSW State LeagueGrand Final ReplayWallsend3 - 2GoodyearCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueState Challenge FinalGoodyear3 - 0WallsendSydney Sports Ground
1936NNSW State LeagueWestonWeston1 - 1GoodyearArlington Oval
NNSW State LeagueGrand Final ReplayWeston2 - 0GoodyearCrystal Palace
1935NNSW State LeagueNorthern - Adamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud 4 - 0MettersHobart Park
NNSW State LeagueState - Adamstown Rosebud    
1934NNSW State LeagueAdamstown RosebudNot Played   
1933NNSW State LeagueNorthern - WallsendNot Played   
NNSW State LeagueSouthern - St George    
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership FinalWallsend6 - 0St GeorgeSydney Cricket Ground
1932NNSW State LeagueNorthern - WallsendNot Played   
NNSW State LeagueSouthern - Concord    
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership FinalWallsend2 - 2ConcordWentworth Park
NNSW State LeagueGrand Final ReplayWallsend9 - 1ConcordHobart Park
1931NNSW State LeagueNorthern - WestonWeston2 - 2West WallsendCrystal Palace
NNSW State LeagueSouthern - Annandale LeichhardtWeston6 - 2West WallsendHomestead Ground
NNSW State LeagueState Premiership FinalWeston4 - 2Annandale LeichhardtJubilee Oval
1930NNSW State LeagueAdamstown RosebudNot Played   
1929NNSW State LeagueCessnockNot Played   
1928NNSW State LeagueCessnockNot Played   
1928N.D.B.F.AAdamstown RosebudNew Lambton1 - 0Adamstown RosebudHobart Park, New Lambton
State Final Balgownie2 - 2New LambtonHobart Park, New Lambton
Grand Final Replay Balgownie3 - 0New LambtonBode's Ground, North Wollongong

Newcastle & Northern District (1886-1927)

N.D.B.F.A - Northern District British Football Association

*Denotes undefeated season

YearCompetitionPremiersChampionsGrand Final ResultGrand Final Runner UpGrand Final Venue
1927N.D.B.F.ACessnockCessnock1 - 0Adamstown RosebudHobart Park, New Lambton
1926N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendCessnock1 - 0West WallsendHobart Park, New Lambton
1925N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendCessnock2 - 1Adamstown RosebudTramway Ground, Hamilton
1924N.D.B.F.AWallsendWest Wallsend1 - 1WallsendTramway Ground, Hamilton
Grand Final Replay West Wallsend3 - 1WallsendTramway Ground, Hamilton
Premiership Play off Wallsend2 - 1CessnockTramway Ground, Hamilton
1923N.D.B.F.AWallsendWeston3 - 2Adamstown RosebudTramway Ground, Hamilton
1922N.D.B.F.AWallsendWest Wallsend4 - 2CessnockTramway Ground, Hamilton
Premiership Play off Wallsend2 - 2West WallsendTramway Ground, Hamilton
Grand Final Replay Wallsend3 - 1West WallsendTramway Ground, Hamilton
1921N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendWest Wallsend2 - 0CessnockTramway Ground, Hamilton
1920N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendAdamstown Rosebud1 - 0WallsendTramway Ground, Hamilton
1919N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendWest Wallsend4 - 0HamiltonBroadmeadow Show Ground
1918Newcastle ZoneWallsendWallsend4 - 0Adamstown RosebudBroadmeadow Show Ground
South Maitland ZoneWestonWeston2 - 1Cessnock No.2Homestead Ground, Weston
1917N.D.B.F.AWeston Albion & West WallsendWallsend2 - 0Weston AlbionBlackburn's Oval Merewether
1916N.D.B.F.AWeston Albion (B)Weston Albion (B)0 - 0Weston United (A)Weston
Grand Final Replay Weston Albion (B)1 - 0Weston United (A)Blackburn's Oval, Merewether
1915N.D.B.F.AMerewether AdvanceMerewether Advance2 - 1CessnockBroadmeadow Show Ground
1914N.D.B.F.AMerewether AdvanceMerewether Advance0 - 0West WallsendBroadmeadow Show Ground
Grand Final Replay Merewether Advance3 - 0West WallsendBroadmeadow Show Ground
1913N.D.B.F.AMerewether AdvanceWest Wallsend2 - 2Merewether AdvanceBroadmeadow Show Ground
Grand Final Replay West Wallsend1 - 1Merewether AdvanceBroadmeadow Show Ground
Second Grand Final Replay West Wallsend2 - 0Merewether AdvanceBroadmeadow Show Ground
1912N.D.B.F.ACessnock *Cessnock1 - 1West WallsendBroadmeadow Show Ground
Grand Final ReplayCessnock1 - 0West WallsendBroadmeadow Show Ground
1911Newcastle ZoneMerewether AdvanceCessnock2 - 1Merewether Advance 
Wallsend ZoneWallsend MazeppasWallsend Mazeppas2 - 0Minmi StarlightsWallsend Park
1910N.D.B.F.AAdamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud2 - 0WallsendBroadmeadow Show Ground
1909N.D.B.F.ANot PlayedNo Grand Final   
1908N.D.B.F.AAdamstown RosebudNo Grand Final   
1907N.D.B.F.APelaw Main Pelaw Main4 - 2Wallsend RoyalsBroadmeadow Show Ground
1906N.D.B.F.AAdamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud 1 - 1Minmi RangersBroadmeadow Show Ground
Grand Final Replay Adamstown Rosebud 3 - 1Minmi RangersBroadmeadow Show Ground
1905N.D.B.F.AAdamstown RosebudAdamstown Rosebud **7 - 3Adamstown ShamrocksMerewether
1904N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendNo Grand Final   
1903N.D.B.F.AWallsend RoyalsWallsend Royals3 - 1Adamstown RosebudNewcastle Cricket Ground
1902N.D.B.F.AWest Wallsend *West Wallsend3 - 1Adamstown Rosebud 
1901N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendNo Grand Final   
1900N.D.B.F.AWallsend RoversWallsend Rovers5 - 2West WallsendNewcastle Cricket Ground
1899N.D.B.F.AWest Wallsend *West Wallsend #1 - 0Adamstown RosebudNewcastle Cricket Ground
1898N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendWest Wallsend2 - 0Minmi RangersNewcastle Cricket Ground
1897N.D.B.F.AWest WallsendWest Wallsend1 - 0Wallsend RoversNewcastle Cricket Ground
1896N.D.B.F.AAdamstown Rosebud *No Grand Final   
1895N.D.B.F.AAdamstown Rosebud *Adamstown Rosebud2 - 1Wallsend RoversRugby Union Ground
1894N.D.B.F.AAdamstown RosebudNo Grand Final   
Premiership Play-Off Adamstown Rosebud2 - 1Minmi Thistles 
1893N.D.B.F.AMinmi Rangers *No Grand Final   
1892N.D.B.F.AMinmi RangersNo Grand Final   
1891N.D.B.F.AMinmi Rangers *No Grand Final   
1890N.D.B.F.ABurwood UnitedNo Grand Final   
1889N.D.B.F.AMinmi RangersNo Grand Final   
1888N.D.B.F.AMinmi Rangers *No Grand Final   
1887N.D.B.F.AMinmi Rangers *No Grand Final   
1886N.D.B.F.AMinmi Rangers *No Grand Final