True Blue Paul McGregor will return to where it all began when he takes on the Coaching Consultant role for the Dapto Canaries in the Harrigan Cup, which kicks off on the weekend of 26-27 April.
The Illawarra-based competition, which started in 2011, features six teams in 2025 including premiers Western Suburbs Red Devils, Thirroul Butchers, Collegians Collie Dogs, Corrimal Cougars, De La Salle Caringbah and the Canaries.
The competition will be played over 15 rounds followed by a top-five finals series with the Grand Final to be held on the weekend of 13-14 September.
McGregor played his Junior Rugby League and five seasons of first grade with Dapto before being picked up by the Illawarra Steelers at the age of 23. He went on to play 158 First Grade games with both the Steelers and St George Illawarra Dragons, represented NSW on 14 occasions and played three Tests for Australia.
He later went on to coach St George Illawarra Dragons from 2014-20 and was also an assistant coach for the Blues in 2022-23.
“I’m giving a little back to a club that gave me lots when I was younger,” McGregor said. “That’s what I’m enjoying doing.
“Dapto has always been a strong grounding for our game with some great players coming through.
“We want to see that happening again and the Harrigan comp is a way we build trust in the community and make them excited to see the Canaries doing well again.”
The opening round of the Harrigan Cup will feature Collegians v Western Suburbs on Thursday 24 April, and Corrimal v Dapto, and De La Salle v Thirroul, on Saturday 26 April.
The Illawarra Region has provided plenty of talented Rugby League players throughout the decades including McGregor, Tyson Frizell, Ben Hornby, Luke Patten, Craig Young, Craig Fitzgibbon, Ted Goodwin, Steve Morris, Bob Fulton, Trent Waterhouse, Steve Roach, Garry Jack, Jason Ryles, Dean Young, John Simon, and Brett and Glenn Stewart.
Click here for the 2025 Harrigan Cup draw.
