The Club was formed in 1982 with the first team playing in 1983 in the Group 10 Second Division. The club began from a few Lithgow Football fans who were not worried about money, but a chance to have some fun.

The jerseys were all black with a red ‘V’ neck and the Bears head logo in the corner. The colours were chosen from Tobins Transport’s Fleet Colours. The colour white was officially added in 1994 as a Bathurst team also had red and black. The first jersey sponsor was the Lithgow RSL Club on the sleeve of the jersey. A year later Tobins Transport became the first major sponsor to be advertised on the chest of the jerseys. The jerseys also contained three-quarter length sleeves.

The Bears have been fortunate to win the cup in 1995, 2010 and 2011.

The Bears have held five presidents over the past 35 years, including Don Milligan (founder of the Bears), Geoff Wheeler (current major sponsor; the Lithgow Workmen’s Club), Jeff Dean, Peter Hughes and current president Ben Spittles. The first captain/coach of the Bears was Owen Wilson who continues to sponsor the Bears through Jersey Sponsorship.  The only player who has reached 200 games playing for the Bears is Mark Denley, who is also the Bears League Tag Coach for 2017.

The Bears have been a family oriented club since the beginning with many brothers, fathers and sons and now since the Bears Female League Tag team have joined the competition in 2016, there has been many sisters and partners within the club. 

The Lithgow Bears would also like to celebrate the 35 years with Tobin Transport who have been a valued sponsor for the whole life span of the Bears. To celebrate 35 years the Bears will be wearing a similar jersey design to the original in 1983 (retro day) for a game with an auction of the Jerseys to be held at the Lithgow Workmen’s Club. The money made from the auction will be donated to a local charity. Everyone is invited to attend.

This year the Lithgow Bears Rugby League Club will be hosting the New Era Cup Knockout Competition on the 1st April 2017 at the Lithgow Showground. This will be host to many clubs ranging from Blackheath to Orange with Footballers and League Tag players.

Throughout the Year the Bears will be raising money for the Simon Williams Memorial Charity. Many of Simon’s relatives have been past players and supporters of the Bears. The Bears will also be attending shave for a cure with one Bears player to date, Timmy Hughes shaving his head for charity.

The Bears would like to thank all volunteers, supporters and sponsors throughout the past 35 years. Without your help the Bears Club could not function.

Training has commenced on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6pm for anyone who is wishing to play or be involved with a fun, family oriented club, please do not hesitate to come down to training or contact the Bears.