The Kenmore Centenary Rugby Club, affectionately known as Kenmore Bears, was formed in 1965, which was around the same time that Queensland Rugby established Ballymore as its headquarters. The Kenmore club – originally known at the Koalas – was followed in 1966 by the formation of Ashgrove Junior Rugby Club (Emus). The creation of junior rugby clubs in Kenmore and Ashgrove was a strategic decision to sure up the development of junior rugby in the Western suburbs. These dates need to be seen within the context of junior rugby development in Queensland, as the Queensland Junior Rugby Union was formed just prior in 1961.
Since then, the Club has become incorporated in its own right. The Club’s home was secured at Akuna Oval during the 1970s under a lease agreement with the Brisbane City Council. The clubhouse was erected in the mid-1970s and despite its age, is still the centrepiece of community and social gatherings. The fields comprise two full-size pitches which are heavily used by Kenmore and other community groups. The fields have lighting for night use, and the Club regularly hosts competition matches.
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The Club has a history of being innovative. It was the first club in Brisbane to organise an international junior rugby tour, which is a tradition that is thriving today with the annual U12 New Zealand Tour. It has instituted an annual Walla Carnival at the end of the season that is now recognised by the BJRU and receives support from other clubs. The Club’s annual presentation day is regarded by players and parents as a season highlight, and the Friday night training sessions provide an opportunity for parents to relax and enjoy a tight-knit social environment.