1948
- The Western Australian Amateur Rugby League was formed. Jim Burns was elected President, Gordon Squires Chairman and Roy Williams Secretary.
- Rugby League competition was formed with four Clubs involved were Fremantle, Perth, South Perth and Cottesloe. The first match was played on the 17th April at Perth Esplanade between Fremantle Districts and Perth Districts. Fremantle Rugby League Club and South Perth Rugby League Club were formed.
- Fremantle Districts – Fullback: J McGuiness, Wings: F Johnson & B Brown, Centres: J Whitley & T Sullivan, Five Eight: J Sweet, Halfback: J Cousins, Lock: G Washington, Second Row: D Tonkin & R Owen, Front Row: A Matheson & A Webster, Hooker: K Allen.
- Perth Districts – Fullback: J Williams, Wings: A Gleaves & D Cort, Centres: S Cohen & J Carrol, Five Eight: Bob Chester, Halfback: R Moore, Lock: E Warner, Second Row: F Mike & B Wells, Front Row: R Lees & D Fogarty, Hooker: G Dixon.
- Five Clubs played Rugby League in the initial year – Perth, South Perth, Applecross, Fremantle & Cottesloe. 1st Grade: 4 teams, Premier Grade: 4 teams, Thirds: 7 teams
1949
- Canning Bulldogs & Victoria Park were formed.
- Junior Rugby League’s first game was played at Peet Park between Applecross and Eastern Suburbs on the 28th May, 1949. The result was 3 all draw.
1950
- The first international was staged in Perth when Great Britain stopped over on the way to Sydney.
1951
- North Beach club was formed. The French came over to play.
1953
- 62 juniors teams competed in the 1953 Junior Carnival, including teams from the mid week Catholic College Competition.
- Rugby Union clubs Palmyra and Nedlands changes codes to Rugby League.
- A second division competition was formed comprising of teams from Southern Districts, Mt. Pleasant, Balmoral, Canning Districts, Northern Suburbs, Midland, Hellenic, Azzurri and North Beach.
- Due to the lack of enclosed grounds for the finals, the WARL acquired their own ground, Higham Park. Higham Park was the rear section of the Claremont Showgrounds.
1954
- Plans were approved to build a stadium at the Junction of Stoneham Street and Great Eastern Highway, Belmont. The initial costs for earthworks, drainage, change rooms, turnstiles, fencing etc was twenty five thousand pounds.
1955
- League headquarters at Belmont Oval was officially opened by the Australian Rugby League President, Jersey Flegge on the 15th of May 1955. The game played that day was Western Australian versus France.
- A second game was held against the French.
1956
- NT came and played three games against WA, WA won two out of three games.
1957
- Great Britain played another game in Perth against WA and won 66-5 at the WACA.
1962
- Great Britain played in Perth.
- WA State Team played Parramatta Eels at Belmont Park, coached by Larry Maloney and assisted by Ken Allen
1964
- A first grade Sydney side, Manly-Warringah traveled west to play. On Friday, 21st August 1964 the French Rugby League touring team visited Western Australia for the third time. The Junior League consisted of 10 clubs (23 teams). Which were picked from approx. 500 boys ranging from the Under 16’s to the midgets. The Clovelly Junior Rugby League touring party arrived in W.A. for 11 days and played three games against W.A. Juniors.
1969
- Darwin invited WA to play against them in Darwin to celebrate their 100th Anniversary, WA won 23-19.
1971
- Pilbara Rugby League is formed
1972
- Goldfields Rugby League is formed
1975
- WA Played England.
- After 20 years Belmont Oval lease was terminated with a cash settlement being received.
1977
- The W.A.R.L moved into the new three million dollar Canning Central complex. The three round qualifying series was replaced by a two round competition. First Grade moved up to ten teams with the new coming of Nollamara/Balga and Wanneroo. W.A was introduced into the nationwide Amco Cup and W.A. State Team defeated Northern Territory by 23 to 18. Newman’s Stirling Committee was organised. West Pilbara and Goldfields have teams.
1978
- Newman representative team traveled to Perth.
1979
- Newman’s first inter-town match was played between Newman and Port Hedland.
1980
- Newman Representative side plays a combined Goldfields Association team.
- Full time administrator appointed and new registered office in Hay Street, Perth.
1981
- Joint premiership declared between Fremantle and Mosman Cottesloe for the Grand Final, scores locked at 28-all at full-time and an extra 20 minutes of extra time failed to separate the sides. With players constantly going down with cramp in the intense heat, both captains refused to play a further five minutes of extra time and the League was unable to schedule a replay.
1983
- Northern Territory came down to play WA for the Crestwood Inntown Hotel Interstate Challenge.
1985
- Northern Territories and Goldfields traveled to Perth to play.
1986
- Belmont Steelers were formed when Belmont and Bayswater Kiwis combined and are the first privately owned Rugby League Club in WA.
- Perth City played against Tweed Heads Seagulls.
- Newman won the Emu Export Pilbara Championship against Port Hedland.
- The national Under 15’s carnival is held at Ken Allen Field.
1988
- The South Coast Raiders entered the competition.
1989
- Armadale Rugby League Club was added. Each Club was requested to supply a Development Officer to promote and encourage Junior Players. Laurie Ord was presented the Ron Hudson Medal for his contribution to Rugby League. Canterbury-Bankstown and Canberra Rugby League came to Perth. Balmain played Parramatta at the WACA for the Panasonic Cup.
1990
- Joondalup Rugby League Club was started.
1994
- The Western Red’s were formed.
- WARL headquarters relocated to WACA Ground.
1997
- Western Reds disbanded.
- WARL office relocated to Stoneham Street, Belmont
1998
- WARL moves its headquarters to Centenary Park, Belmont.
1999
- Western Suburbs Magpies played Melbourne Storm at Lathlain Oval, 8th of May 1999.
2003
- WARL moves into its new headquarters at Members Equity Stadium, Perth formerly Perth Oval.
2005
- Trail match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs played at Members Equity Stadium, February 28 2005
- Round 7 of the Telstra NRL Premiership between the Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand Warriors was played at Members Equity Stadium, May 7 2005.
2006
- Kalgoorlie Brothers enter the WA Rugby League First Grade competition.
2007
- WA Reds accepted to compete in the Jim Beam Cup competition from 2008.
2008
- Inaugural season for the WA Reds
2009 – 2015 currently under review
2012
- West Coast Pirates established and replace the WA Reds in the NSW RL SG Ball Cup competition
2013
- WARL rebranded as NRL WA
2014
- Ellenbrook Rabbitohs Rugby League Club established
2015
- Ellenbrook Rabbitohs win NRL Grassroots Club of the Year Award
- Total registered players = 3,574
2016
- Regional Representative structure created – North West Reds, Northern Fusion, Southern Pride & South West Dolphins
- Inaugural NRL WA Multicultural Harmony Cup (Nines) hosted by Rockingham Sharks RLC
- Dalyellup Rhinos Junior Rugby League Club Established
- Australind Cowboys Junior Rugby League Club Established
- Total registered players = 3,320
2017
- Inaugural Junior State League Championships hosted by Southern Pride & Fremantle Roosters JRLC
- NRL Round 1 double header played at new Perth Optus Stadium
- Junior State League Championships hosted by Northern Fusion & North Beach Sea Eagles RLFC
- NRL WA Introduced Round One at the Gardens concept for WA Smarter than Smoking Premiership
- Perth Smarter than Smoking Junior & Senior Grand Finals returned to Dorrien Gardens
- NRL WA establish a Education & Training Centre at Gloucester Park
- Total registered players = 3,309
2018
- Junior State League Championships hosted by Northern Fusion & North Beach Sea Eagles RLFC
- Inaugural All Flags Signs & Banners Women’s Rugby League Premiership
- State of Origin 2 played at Perth Optus Oval on 23rd June
- Third Grade competition renamed to honour WA Rugby League Life Member Mr. Val Murphy
- Long Serving WA Referee Association boss Mr. Martin Weeks retires
- Ellenbrook Rabbitohs win their first Junior Club Championships
- Broome Jets Rugby League Club Established
- Albany Sea Dragons Junior Rugby League Club established
- Total registered players = 3,860
2019
- Junior State League Championships hosted by South West Dolphins & Rockingham Sharks RLC
- Inaugural NRL WA Junior Rep Season (South West Dolphins, Southern Pride & Northern Fusion)
John Moore Shield under 17 Boys
Danielle Parker Cup under 18 Girls - Fremantle Roosters won a third consecutive WA Smarter than Smoking Premiership
- Serpentine Jarrahdale Serpents Junior Rugby League Club was established
- NRL WA State Men’s Team lose CAS Championships for the first time in 10 years against NRL VIC in Darwin
- Tom Price Steelers Rugby League Club Established
- Paraburdoo Pirates Rugby League Club Established
- Tom Price Steelers win Inaugural Ashburton Cup
- NRL WA Wheelchair Rugby League established
- Total registered players = 3,791
2020
- Community football postponed due to COVID-19
- Competitions resumed post COVID – 10 restrictions on July 4th with Perth Juniors finishing on September 15th and senior football wrapping up on October 17th
- Three NRL Games scheduled for Perth cancelled due to COVID-19 travel and social distancing restrictions nationally
- NRL WA Junior State League Championships (Karratha) cancelled due to COVID-19
- Serpentine Jarrahdale Serpents entered teams into the Smarter than Smoking Perth junior framework
- Inaugural NRL WA North West Cup (Senior Men’s Competition) included Broome Jets, South Hedland Cougars, Karratha Roosters, Tom Price Steelers with the Cougars defeating the Roosters 46 – 18 in the Grand Final hosted by South Hedland
- Joondalup Giants Celebrate 30 years as a Club winning the WA Smarter than Smoking Premiership in a 106 minute golden point triller 13-12 against the Rockingham Sharks
- Ellenbrook Rabbitohs win a third in row All Flags Signs & Banners Women’s Rugby League Premiership defeating Fremantle Roosters 16 – 8
- Inaugural Southern Ports Great Southern Nines hosted by Albany Sea Dragons with teams representing Serpentine Jarrahdale Serpents, Fremantle Roosters, Rockingham Sharks & Mandurah Storm
- Inaugural NRL WA Masters hosted be Alkimos Tigers entering two teams along with North Beach Sea Eagles, Ellenbrook Rabbitohs, Willagee Bears and Fremantle Roosters
- Joondalup Giants Celebrate 30 years as a Club winning the WA Smarter than Smoking Premiership in a 106 minute golden point triller 13-12 against the Rockingham Sharks
