Redfern will again take centre stage in South Sydney’s player-development pathway, with the Rabbitohs’ junior representative teams confirmed to open their 2026 campaigns at Redfern Oval.
The fixture marks the first competitive hit-out of the season, which will begin on 7 February 2026, for all four grades, reinforcing Redfern’s role as the club’s spiritual and developmental heart.
The NSWRL’s newly released draws place South Sydney’s SG Ball Cup (U19 men), Harold Matthews Cup (U17 boys), Tarsha Gale Cup (U19 women) and Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17 girls) teams together for the opening round, where they will host the Illawarra Steelers in a full day of junior rugby league.
The matches follow a busy pre-season period for the pathways program. Summer training squads for all four teams were unveiled in November, with players now progressing through trials and conditioning blocks in December and January. Among these preparations are the Lisa Fiaola Cup pre-season fixtures, featuring match-ups against Manly, Penrith and Newcastle at Erskineville Oval.
With a nine-round regular season ahead, additional Redfern Oval home games are scheduled across the early months of 2026, offering local supporters multiple opportunities to watch the next generation of Rabbitohs talent.
The club continues to emphasise the importance of its community base, with Redfern providing not only a historic venue but an essential platform for emerging men’s and women’s players.
The Rabbitohs’ junior pathway remains a cornerstone of the club’s long-term competitiveness, and the return of the opening round to Redfern Oval further cements the suburb’s standing as the heart of South Sydney rugby league.
Published 11-Dec-2025
