By Tallon Smith

After dropping two grades just three years ago, the Berkeley Eagles have announced they will be moving up to the Illawarra Rugby League’s first division in 2024.

After going undefeated until the COVID cancellation in 2021 and doing the same only to lose in the grand final last year, the Eagles finally won the title this season, despite dropping just one game in three years.

Berkeley Eagles President Ben Honan said that the progress the club has made over the past few seasons is the result of “hard work” by the committee and other key figures.

“It’s been a three year journey in the making,” he said.

“It’s definitely gonna be a challenge, but I think it’s one we’re ready to take.

“The last three years only losing one game in that third grade competition shows that we’re right to make that move.”

Speaking on a strategy to successfully transition back to fielding two open age sides, Honan said that the club is hopeful they can build on their 26-strong squad they fielded this year.

“Obviously the first thing looking to next year is to retain all the players we’ve got this year,” he said.

“We’re going to start looking for a few key inclusions to strengthen that side, because we’re not going up just to run around.

“We’re going up with the attitude that we want to be super competitive.”

Another key facet of the club’s plan’s for the future is their under 18s squad, with the club entering a side in 2023 after a period of absence from the competition.

“We’re looking at having 18s as well,” he said.

“We had one this year, and we’ve got I think about 12 players who are going to stick around, and we’re hoping to keep a couple of the ones who are going through to grade [football] next year.

“Having [under] 18s is instrumental if you want to be successful in the first and second grade competitions, especially because of the points [cap].”

Illawarra Rugby League Operations Manager Blake Edwards said that the hard work of the club has been key to their “step-by-step” process of rebuilding.

“[They are] getting back on [their] feet, the Berkeley Eagles, they’re a proud club, just like every other club,” he said.

“Something I’ve had discussions with Berkeley on the side about is just rebuilding step-by-step, not just throwing all your eggs in one basket and expecting success overnight and everything to fall in place.

“That means keeping an under 18s as well, as that would be key to the whole process.”

The Illawarra Rugby League now enters the off-season, before the 2024 campaign kicks off next April.

Cover photo courtesy of Ben Honan.