Australian Football clubs on the Central Coast are gearing up to celebrate 50 years of the Aussie Rules Association in the region.
A club was first formed at Gosford in late 1971 and from the following year participated in the Newcastle AFL.
But a dispute over the responsibility for a debt incurred in the playing of a match between VFL clubs North Melbourne and Geelong in Newcastle in March of 1975 gave support for the establishment of a local league.
So, in November of that year a well-attended meeting was held at Gosford Sailing Club with a view to forming a Central Coast competition.
Five clubs emerged from the gathering: Gosford, Narara-Wyoming, Terrigal, The Lakes and Woy Woy.
These clubs fielded one grade each until 1978 when an under-17 junior competition commenced; a further junior grade was added the following season together with a reserve grade division.
A lot has changed in the intervening years.
Senior clubs have come and gone, some have changed their name and new clubs have been created.
“People move on although more recently women’s football has taken centre stage in many areas,” a spokesperson said.
“Those clubs locally that are still functioning include Terrigal (now Terrigal-Avoca) and The Lakes (now Wyong-Lakes).”
The Wyong-Lakes Club will hold an anniversary dinner at Wyong Leagues Club on Saturday, August 2.
Officials are keen for former players and supporters to be in contact and would appreciate any photographs, newsletters etc.
For bookings search ‘Wyong’ at stickytickets.com.au
“Meanwhile, an old hand from the original Gosford Club, who went on to participate for several seasons with the Terrigal Club, Dave McCathie, is well down the track in publishing a book on the history of the club,” the spokesperson said.
“This is a great and permanent way to maintain the memory of an organisation with a very successful and admirable history.
“Details of the availability of the publication will be released shortly.”
The Central Coast Competition amalgamated with the Newcastle Football League in 2000.
