‘Tizzle’ and the Grizzly Stars Celebrate 15 Year Anniversary

By Stuart McLennan

UC Stars club stalwart Dave “Tizzle” Turner is the bridge that links the old with the new in the short but eventful history of the University of Canberra (UC) Stars.

Back in 2009, Turner was playing rugby union in Canberra and not overly happy in the ‘other code’. The timing was right to form a rugby league team with a few of his Australian National University (ANU) mates.

That year the ANU Grizzlies made their debut against the UC Cows reserve grade team after a bit of “social media banter” brought the two Canberra clubs together on the field. The match report was as follows.

“On Saturday the 20th of June 2009 an Australian National University side defeated the University of Canberra Cows Reserves 36-30 in what signalled the first game featuring an ANU Representative Rugby League side in Canberra since 1982, and finally the birth of a true sporting rivalry unique to the nation’s capital.”

From that first match the annual Uni of Origin match was born and the rivalry spilled into the NSW Tertiary League from 2010 until the UC Cows folded due to financial reasons at the end of the 2012 season.

The Grizzlies spent seven seasons in the tertiary league making hundreds of bus trips up and down the Hume and Federal highways. Tizzle reflects on the excitement of starting a new club and the early days.

“It was special. We (ANU Grizzlies) went from nothing to having our own team, own crest, own colours, and a team made up of mates from uni and others I had grown up with. Hiring a bus and travelling to Sydney each week as a group, plus a high profile sponsor and a bit of exposure in the newspaper and on radio, it made us feel like pros, which was fun. But we didn't give much thought to the future.”

The ANU club moved up the road to Bruce and became the University of Canberra Grizzlies in 2015. The team was promoted to the tertiary league first grade the same year and finished a creditable fourth in the competition.

The following year proved to be a standout for the UC Grizzlies as they moved back to the second tier and took out the 2016 tertiary league reserve grade premiership defeating the Polecats 30-16 at Leichhardt. 

From 2017 onwards they competed in the local Canberra region playing in the George Tooke Shield.

Turner, 37, still proudly runs out in the club’s black and blue strip every weekend and will rack up his 120th match for his beloved club against Crookwell.

“The idea this year was to be more of a part time player but due to numbers it’s been a full time role. As for next year if I’m needed I’m there is the mantra. I guess I’ll eventually fade away though.”

‘Tizzle’ is still passionate about the club he created 15 years ago despite the on field results not being ideal this season, leaving the club sitting winless at the bottom of the ladder.

“Our season in 2024 has been a bit of a blip but we are on the right track.

“To wake up after all this time and see we are still competing makes me proud and proud of everyone that’s been involved. Especially as we don’t have the backing of a town or well endowed sponsors.

“We don’t turn anyone away. Regardless of background, experience or ability everyone is welcome. It means a lot to me that the club can provide a platform for people to play rugby league and find a ‘family’ here.”

UC Stars will hold ‘Old Griz Day’ at Raiders Belconnen in Holt on Saturday 6 July with matches against the Crookwell Green Devils in ladies league tag (1:15pm) and men’s tackle (2:30pm). The 15 year anniversary celebrations will continue into the evening with an anniversary dinner at the Raiders club. A Griz-Stars 15 year Men’s Tackle side will be announced as well as a 5 year Stars Tackle and League Tag Combined Presidents XIII. More information can be found via UC Stars social media pages.

History of the ANU/UC Grizzlies/Stars Club

2009 -The ANU Grizzlies are born after Facebook banter with members of the UC Cows leads to the Grizzlies playing their first ever match against the Cows reserve grade team. The popular annual  Uni of Origin event between the two Canberra institutions is launched.

2010 - The ANU Grizzlies enter  the NSW Tertiary League second division, the Bill Buckley Memorial Trophy and make the finals.

2011- The ANU Grizzlies make the NSW Tertiary League reserve grade final and go down to UTS-Balmain. The UC Cows finish the regular season as minor premiers.

2012 - 2013 - The Grizzlies and Cows play in the tertiary league, however the UC Cows fold in the 12-13 off-season due to financial issues.   

2014- The Grizzlies continue to play in the tertiary league in what was to be their last season under the ANU banner.

2015 - The relocated UC Grizzlies are promoted to first grade level of the tertiary league and finish 4th.

2016 - The UC Grizzlies return to the reserve grade competition and win the premiership. A historic moment for the club.

2017-The UC Grizzlies leave the tertiary league and enter the Canberra Region Rugby League second division competition known as the George Tooke Shield. The ladies league tag team commences.

2020 - The UC Grizzlies change their name to the UC Stars to align with university branding and agree to play in the CRRL Cup as the reserve grade team for the Raiders under 20s. A partnership with the Tuggeranong Buffaloes sees UC field a joint women’s tackle team in the Katrina Fanning Shield.

2024- UC Stars celebrate 15 years with an anniversary dinner.