Mount Albert Lions
| File:MtalbertRL.png | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mount Albert Rugby League |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) | |
| Coach | Steve Buckingham |
| Competition | Auckland Rugby League |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 1939, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1968, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012 |
| Minor premierships | 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1970, 1981, 1983, 1992, 2006, 2012 |
| Bartercard Cup | 2002, 2004, 2005 |
| National Club Champions | 1984 |
| Roope Rooster | 1947, 1948, 1950, 1964, 1984, 2006, 2008-2009 |
| Stormont Shield | 1939, 1947, 1948, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1993 |
| Sharman Cup | 1980 |
The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial.
In 2010 the team is coached by Steve Buckingham.[1]
History
The club was founded in 1927, splitting from the Marist club. In the early 1930s the club moved to its current location at Fowlds Park in Morningside. They gained senior status from the Auckland Rugby League in 1935.
The club has won the Fox Memorial trophy fifteen times; in 1939, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1968, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 1984 the Lions won the National Club Competition and in 2002, 2004 and 2005 they won the Bartercard Cup.
In 2006 they defended the Roope Rooster Challenge trophy in all eleven of their games and went on to win the Fox Memorial. In early 2007 they lost the trophy to the Te Atatu Roosters.
Bartercard Cup
Between 2000 and 2005 the Lions competed in the national Bartercard Cup competition. Under the guidance of Brian McClennan they were the most successful club in the competition's history, being champions three times and twice winning the minor premiership. However the club had a slow start to the competition, not making the playoffs in the first two years. Their place in the Bartercard Cup was taken over by the Auckland Lions, an entity which represented Mount Albert as well as other neighbouring clubs. In 2007 the Auckland Lions also competed in the NSWRL Premier League but they were replaced in 2008 by the Auckland Vulcans.
| Season | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position (Teams) | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 593 | 584 | 9 | 25 | Sixth (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2001 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 13 | 414 | 630 | -216 | 18* | Tenth (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2002 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 620 | 270 | 350 | 30 | Minor Premiers (Twelve) | Champions |
| 2003 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 530 | 328 | 202 | 26 | Second (Twelve) | Defeated in Preliminary Final |
| 2004 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 522 | 378 | 144 | 24 | Third (Twelve) | Champions |
| 2005 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 570 | 326 | 244 | 24 | Minor Premiers (Twelve) | Champions |
*Two points for a Bye as the Ngongotaha Chiefs withdrew from the competition
References
- ^ "What they said", Super League, Issue 1 2010. p.17