1996 CRA CHAMPIONS
The Championships were first staged in Karratha/Dampier
in 1996, with five teams competing for the inaugural award as
the North West Champions. The five teams were Central, East and
West Kimberley, De Grey and West Pilbara. The De Grey and West
Pilbara teams came from the strong North Pilbara league and represented
the Hedland-based players (De Grey) and the Karratha based players
(West Pilbara). When the concept of the North West Championships
was initiated, the Kimberley-based leagues were fearful of the
strong North Pilbara league, which was a past A-grade Wesfarmers
Champion in Perth, hence the league offered to spit into two to
ensure an even competition. The first championship was one by
the West Kimberley.