After the formation of several clubs in January 1908, members of the NSWRFL came to Newcastle to hold talks with the local footballing community at a meeting on 8 February 1908.

The local rugby union fraternity threatened sanctions and further recruitment occurred in secret.

Finally, a band of Rebel Pioneers assembled and signed up on 10 April, just days before the start of the competition.

Sometimes called the Rebels, Newcastle played in a strip of red and white hoops.

Their moment of glory came in the latter weeks of 1909 when they beat league leaders South Sydney 7–6 on 7 August in front of 3,000 spectators at the Newcastle Showground.

Newcastle finished fourth and made the semis but were beaten by Souths 20–0.

Arguably the most significant event of the season for the club was in round six when they were scheduled to play against Newtown in the only match of the weekend.

This fact meant that a crowd of 14,000, the second largest in the season, showed up to watch the two teams play at the Royal Agricultural Society Grounds.

The club had a tough draw at the end of the season and won just one of their remaining four games.

The modern day Newcastle Rebels [1] competed in the 2023 Men's Country Championships.