Congratulations to the Berala Bears after being named “Club of the Year’ at the CBDJRL Presentation Night.

‘NOT expecting it in a million years’ was how Berala Bears President Omar Sankari described Berala Bears being named ‘Club of the Year’ at the Canterbury Bankstown Junior Rugby League’s (CBDJRL) presentation night to celebrate their 101st season.

Not only that, Omar was also named Saundy Steuerwald ‘Volunteer of the Year’ which he said was a huge shock but a welcome surprise.
“We picked up a $5,000 grant for the ‘Club of the Year’ win and also some cash for our players that have debuted with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL,” he said.
Chris Patolo played a year with Berala Bears and two years at Bankstown Sports before going to first grade.
He debuted on July 3, 2021 against Manly, with $500 awarded to Berala and $1,000 to Bankstown Sports.
Tui Katoa played four years at Chester Hill and two years at Berala Bears before debuting against Penrith on September 26, 2020, with $1,000 awarded to Berala and $2,000 to Chester Hill.
Omar says being named ‘Club of the Year’ was a fitting accolade as the club prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
“This is honestly the first award I have ever won but have worked incredibly hard over the last year and not just for my own club but helping out other clubs when they needed to train or play on our fields due to the wet weather,” he said.
“We are certainly looking forward to the start of the 2023 season and building up our club even more; you don’t do what you do to win awards, it is nice but everything is for the kids.”
Bulldogs’ Head of Junior League John Grealy says the passion and efforts of volunteers who run the clubs, is unparalleled.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in the 2022 season, especially our award winners,” he said.
“We look forward to even more success in 2023.”

Special mention must go to our Bears members as without your support and enthusiasm to enjoy the game of rugby league awards such as these are simply not possible!

(Story courtesy of Auburn review)

Berala Bears named as ‘Club, Volunteer of Year’ | LocalNewsPlus