June 1 - 30, 2026: Issue 655

 

Avalon Bulldogs: Your 2026 A Grade Team + Cleared Eyed Future 

Avalon Bulldogs win 2026 Barrenjoey Cup - Round 5, May 17 2026 at Hitchcock Park

The Avalon Bulldogs Junior Rugby League club is a family oriented and community-based sporting club, located at the northern end of the Barrenjoey peninsula. The club has over 60 years of heritage, commencing in the Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League in 1962. 

The club is a much-loved asset to the community with a large following of passionate supporters. The junior division and touch football competition attracts 950 players annually. Home games are played at Hitchcock Park every other Saturday from April to August, while the A Grade team plays Sundays and the club hosts the occasional Saturday night A Grade game. Touch footy games on a Friday afternoon are THE place to be socially for around 700 families from toddlers to grandparents between October and December. 

The organisation is completely committed to providing a fun and healthy environment for families to come together and get active. We follow in the NRL values of Excellence, Inclusiveness, Courage, and Teamwork. From our youngest players at four years old to the team of 100 volunteers who give hours of their time to the club for the love of the game, the commitment is impressive. In the eyes of the kids, the club is the best thing since sliced bread. They wear their Doggies shirts proudly everywhere they go! 

From events, to mateship, to excitement and social purpose, there’s so many reasons to get involved. 

​The club capped off a historic 2025 campaign by winning the A Grade Premiership and taking home the district’s most prestigious honour, the H. Pop Hall Memorial Award (Club of the Year). This award is presented annually to the club judged to have done the most for the rugby league code in the district. Jazmin Ball was awarded Volunteer of the Year for her ongoing commitment, leadership, and tireless contributions to the club.

However, Doggies members and players are eyes front and always looking forward to the next opportunity to ‘play footy’. 

This Issue, a look into the Bulldogs 2026 Season so far and what the plans for the future are.

2026 President Craig Schlitter:

Is this the first time you’ve been President for Avalon Bulldogs JRFLC?

Yes, I was appointed at the AGM held in November.

How long have you been a part of the Bulldogs?

About 5 years, I have a boy in the Under 10’s, so I’ve been coaching since he was in the Under 7’s. I’m also coaching our second son who is in the Under 8’s this year, so my experience prior to this has been more from the coaching perspective.

The 2026 Barrenjoey Cup – is this always played between Avalon and Mona Vale?

Yes; this has been going for a number of years. Both our clubs have been working on better cohesive team building between us, merging teams or giving the girls an opportunity to play in the Blue Tag series and grow this so more can have a game and a great Season. Mona Vale have been very strong in this and when some of the girls have wanted to come back to playing for Avalon, Mona Vale have been very generous in sharing this players so they can stand a team up when needed. 

Avalon Bulldogs President Craig Schlitter and Mona Vale Raiders President Hamish Mclean with the Barrenjoey Cup

Avalon Bulldogs has volunteers and players that stretch across multi-generations, with a real family feel that has gone on for decades – how important is it to maintain that?

It’s critical and at the core of what we do. What has happened in the past is some of the good players have been unable to fulfill their potential at the club and so have been snapped up by other clubs or gone elsewhere. So to attract those players and retain them within the club we work to ensure they can go from juniors right through to seniors. The A Grade team is one instance of this – there’s a huge interest in the A Grade Team, and we will have an Old Boys day this year as part of that, so the younger generations can connect with what has built the club in the past, and what that provides in building community around the club. The Old Boys days always attracts a big crowd in getting together as some will travel some distance to be a part of that, and this provides an opportunity for younger members of our community to witness and be a part of knowing they are part of something great that has durability, persistence, with that family of community at its core. I’m not sure what it is about Avalon, whether it’s the geography or simply the individuals in the community and what their essential natures are, but we do seem to attract large crowds when there is a game at home, and there is definitely something about here that makes the club a heart of the town.

Avalon Bulldogs' committee members take on a variety of roles, and they're backed up by a hundred volunteers each season – what is involved in being the President of the club?

The committee is focused around development – supporting the coaches so they can help the players develop to their best ability and we can be more competitive and provide a pathway for them so they can continue to do that. The younger players all look up to the A Grade; it’s where they want to play, where they aim for. So we want to be able to help the to do that. 

We’re also focussed on facilities and this year have made a significant investment in tackling gear and pads.

We are also trying to get improvements to the grounds, and I’ve been fortunate to speak to our MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby about this. We had at least four washouts last year and the same is happening this Season too. We’ve had to move games to Mona Vale’s home ground – so their ground would be perfect and ours would be waterlogged. So getting that drainage sorted out is a priority. 

Hitchcock was closed - council's webpage for wet weather sportsgrounds as we go to press, Saturday evening, June 27 2026 - the Sunday June 28 A Grade game is scheduled to start at 3.30pm - the Doggies Instagram does updates; link above

We’re also looking at improving our facilities for the girls. I was talking to Jazmin Ball our Secretary about this and she said that when she started there was one girl in the club, who would have bene playing on a boys team, and now we’re in the hundreds each year. We don’t have dedicated ladies and girls changerooms, so we’re working with an Architect to try and move that forward.

We’ve also been working on improvements to the clubhouse and have invested in all new furniture, as you may have seen inside the clubhouse itself. This way we can have more social events – there could be a State of Origin game on and we watch it on the tv together. This reinforces that whole community and friendships within the club and provides a nice environment and facilities to support that. 

We look forward to working with the council to build those offerings and meet those needs in the facilities and even look into having a gymnasium that reinforces that development side of what the club is working on.

That also supports the touch footy months we have at the Bulldogs, which hundreds love each year and also helps fund what we can offer them as well.

The touch footy allows us to welcome the community into the club in the warm weather leading into those few months before Christmas each year – it’s not overly competitive and at that time of the year everyone is enjoying being in such a great place.

Speaking of development and a succession plan – there’s a lot more younger players in the A Grade Team your Coach Haig Sare is giving game time experience to on the field to this Season. What is the structure there?

We don’t have 18’s or Under 21’s this year, so that’s a gap we have identified. We had a group of boys in the 17’s come together to form a team late – and so didn’t have much of a pre-season lead in we like to provide. I think the A Grade has been able to attract players due to the culture they have within that team and the club, and their performance last year, where they won the premiership. So with the players from last year returning for another Season, and new players who have moved into the area or been attracted to the club because of last year’s result, an opportunity may evolve where we can provide that late teens into the A Grade continuance, which would be great. 

What is the culture, to you, of the Avalon Bulldogs?

The culture at the club is family-social. A lot of the younger players all go to school together – to Avalon Public School, Maria Regina and Bilgola Plateau PS, so most know each other.

The ladies have a very strong imprint at Avalon, both through the committee and involvement across each Season. 

To be able to have a local club within the community, where the boys can get down there, particularly towards the end of the year when you see groups of boys letting off some steam in such a positive way through kicking a ball around, makes this a central meeting point. It’s not just a field, it’s part of that club, and it’s not just a history, it’s a place where people can congregate still. 

It’s not cheap or easy to run a club, but we know the impact the club and in particular, the A Grade team has on the younger generation and the community. They can witness how we all can get knocked down, but will get up again, grab the ball, and keep going towards the goal – just like you would try to do anywhere else, and even throughout your life. It sets them up for life, and helps with some great foundation tools they can apply anywhere. 

We can see this in the community too – the younger members wear their Bulldogs shirts even when it’s not game day. We even get requests from people interstate for a Bulldogs shirt – people that have never been near the club. 

For all of these people it gives them a sense of belonging – they’re part of something, and have a place in their community where they are welcome – it’s their tribe – all they have to bring is themselves.

Thank you!

A Grade Coach, Haig Sare:

There are a fair amount of new younger players in the A Grade Squad for the Bulldogs this year – is that about succession planning?

Yes we do have a number of younger players this year; on the back of success it is one of the things that you find – so we’ve been fortunate to have a few young guys come in who want to learn off the older ones. It’s going to be good for the club down the track, definitely. 

The A Grade team has had just one loss this Season, to the Forestville Ferrets in your first game for the Season, and currently sits just behind Mona Vale Raiders on the ladder, who are on a burner this year – and which you have had just one game against in the 2026 Barrenjoey Cup round where the Doggies won – how has the Season been so far from your perspective?

We’ve been able to remedy that loss against the Ferrets in Round 8, and we’ve definitely had a few high scores in other games, the Round 2 game result in particular stands out. That first game after winning the 2025 Season was a blessing in disguise in some ways as it made us think again if some were just rocking up and thinking it would just happen. For one loss – I’d rather it was in Round 1 – and Mona, at the top of the Comp. – they were a real challenge. I’m glad we got that result – but it was good the boys were pushed to rise up. But things are going ok at the moment, fortunately.

There’s still a few Rounds for the Season before the Comp. moves towards Semis and Finals – what’s the game plan as you head towards August?

We have a pretty simple game plan – we play up-tempo and try and utilise our fitness. One of the key components at this stage of the year is just trying to keep guys uninjured. It’s a really physical competition, and when you get to the pointy end of the Season you want your big guns firing – so keeping the guys on the park is one of the biggest challenges at the back end of the Season.

Is that why you’re benching some of the lead players from 2025?

That’s right, I’m trying to give some of the guys a bit of a break. There’s also that we do have a bigger squad this year, so we’re trying to rotate a little bit and provide an opportunity to have a goo for some and also freshen guys up for the back end of the year – 100%. 

Those living in proximity to Hitchcock Park hear the mighty roar every time the A Grade team is playing – what’s it like to be amongst that atmosphere?

The boys love playing at home, no doubt about it. I was talking to one of the boys from Mona Vale the other day and he was talking about this too – how he noticed this passionate tribalism – and the boys feed off it, they love it. They’re grateful for the support.

Again this Season the brotherhood and sisterhood between the teams and clubs is standing out – the Pittwater clubs in Mona Vale and Narrabeen, and even connections with Harbord keep popping up – you getting that too?

There is a definite connection between the clubs and within the Bulldogs team  – the boys have all grown up together, and they really work hard for each other. The clubs try and foster that but you can’t buy that kind of history between players – we’re fortunate we’ve got that, no doubt.

Haig Sare and Avalon Bulldogs supporter

2026 Report:

Avalon Bulldogs PON 2025 Season insights:

Avalon Bulldogs A Grade 2026 Season

  • Round 1 - Sunday 12th April - 03:00 pm – Forestville Ferrets 18 – 16 Avalon Bulldogs, played at Forestville Oval
  • Round 2 - Saturday 18th April - 07:00 pm 2026 Avalon Bulldogs 52 – 0  Belrose Eagles, played at: Hitchcock Park
  • Round 3 - Sunday 3rd May - 03:30 pm - Asquith Magpies 20 – 28 Avalon Bulldogs, played at Storey Park
  • Round 4 - Sunday 10th May - 03:00 pm - Harbord United Devils 6 – 14 Avalon Bulldogs, played at Harbord Park
  • Round 5 - Sunday 17th May - 03:00 pm - Avalon Bulldogs 16 – 6 Mona Vale Raiders, played at Hitchcock Park (Barrenjoey Cup Round for 2026 and Ladies Day)
  • Round 6 - Sunday 24th May - 03:00 pm -  Cromer Kingfishers 12 – 12 Avalon Bulldogs, played at St Matthews Farm – Cromer
  • Round 7 - Sunday 31st May - 03:00 pm - Narrabeen Sharks Open Age (Black) 0 – WASHOUT – 0 Avalon Bulldogs – was to be played at Lake Park, Narrabeen – all games this round cancelled due to wet weather impacting playing grounds.
  • Round 8 - Saturday 13th June - 06:00 pm - Avalon Bulldogs 28 – 14 Forestville Ferrets, played at Hitchcock Park
  • Round 9 - Sunday 21st June - 03:00 pm - Belrose Eagles Open Age 6 – 52 Avalon Bulldogs, played at Lionel Watts Park
  • Round 10 - Sunday 28th June - 03:30 pm to be hosted by the Bulldogs at Hitchcock Park:  Avalon Bulldogs Open Age meets the Asquith Magpies Open Age Gold team, their second game against each other this Season. The Park is closed due to wet weather at this stage - but kickoff time is 3.30pm - so it may be reopened. 

The Avalon A Grade Gold team haven’t had a game with the Narrabeen A Grade Black team yet this Season.

Round 11 is scheduled for Hitchcock Park on the Sunday July 5th playing the Harbord United squad

Round 12  - to be played at Newport Oval on Sunday July 19th, is the second match with the Mona Vale Raiders for the Season – the Raiders are currently sitting at top of ladder

Round 13 is again at Hitchcock Park on Sunday July 26, hosting the Cromer Kingfishers A Grade side.

Round 14 they finally meet, weather allowing – Narrabeen will be hosted by the Avalon side at Hitchcock Park on Sunday August 2nd

Round 15, at this stage scheduled for Sunday August 9 2026 – is against the Forestville Ferrets again and to be played at Forestville Oval.

Semi-Finals are scheduled for August 15/16, Finals for August 22/23 and the Grand Final on August 30 2026.

Visit: 2026 NORTHERN OPEN AGE GOLD - Details of all matches and teams results so far.

2026 Committee 
*newly appointed

  • President – Craig Schlitter*
  • Vice President – Stef Puskar*
  • Secretary & Registrar – Jazmin Ball
  • Treasurer – Matthew Dent
  • Vice President (Tag) – Michelle Bridger*
  • Vice President (Tackle) – Jackson Lloyd*
  • Vice President (A-Grade) – Alex Woodley*
  • Gear Steward – Joanna Gaffikin*
  • Sponsorship Coordinator – Claudine Gasnier*
  • Licensee – Scott Fitzgerald*
  • Coaches Coordinator – Adam Hellyer*
  • Manly JRLFC Delegate – Brian Friend

Ordinary Members

  • Peter Robinson*
  • Matthew Eding - Life Member

Active Life Members

  • Samantha Stone
  • Brian Friend
  • Richard Harris

Avalon Bulldogs A Grade Players 2026 Season

  • Jedd WHEELER
  • Chandler WALTON
  • Nathan STEWART
  • Taine ALLEN
  • Mitchell DONNELLY
  • William BENSLEY
  • Ayden LEYSHON
  • Chad McMILLAN
  • Todd WALSH
  • Harley ATTWATER
  • Will KELLY
  • Max GIRDLER
  • Will GOLDEN
  • Luke TOON
  • Tom WALSH
  • Max BARRY
  • Jack SCHOFIELD
  • Corey KIRKHAM
  • Kurt STEVENSON
  • Jake CRUTCH
  • Jed CRAM
  • Samuel MACARTHUR
  • Jackson William LLOYD
  • Bailey GRAHAM
  • Samuel MEEHAN
  • Max CROTTY-KING
  • Ayden LEYSHON
  • Jackson YEATES
  • Jack POLO
  • Will BOOTH

A Grade Team staff

  • Haig Sare, COACH
  • Jazmin BALL, MANAGER
  • Darcy GEORGE, LEVEL 1 TRAINER
  • Grant DEMPSEY, LEVEL 1 TRAINER
  • Jackson William LLOYD, LEAGUESAFE

Avalon Bulldogs JRLFC 
Tag • Tackle • A-Grade • Summer Touch
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Play with the Doggies​

We encourage players of all ages and abilities from Newport to Palm Beach to join the club and participate in the local Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League competition. If you would like to join as a player or volunteer at our club, please contact us today. We look forward to welcoming you and your family. We welcome you to come and be part of the sport that we love so much and everything that goes with it.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Avalon Bulldogs Junior Rugby League Football Club acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land in which we work, live and learn. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We acknowledge that this land is, was and always will be Aboriginal land.

Avalon Bulldogs' 2025 President Matt Eding and 2025 Secretary + Registrar + A Grade Manager Jazmin Ball accept the Pop Hall Trophy and Premiership Trophy. Photo: supplied.