Promoted Hills Football League club Bridgewater-Callington Raiders back in division one

It merged and was then relegated – but now this refreshed and rebuilt Hills Football League club is flying with a “fairytale” start to the season.

Bridgewater-Callington Raiders after defeating rival Mount Lofty to retain the Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup. Picture: Trev Syme

Bridgewater-Callington president Simon Bryars describes his club’s return to the top tier of the Hills Football League as a “fairytale”.

The Raiders – a merger between the two clubs in 2013 – have experienced some turbulent times during the amalgamation and an ensuing relegation to division two.

But the rebuilt and refreshed football club is back where it believes it belongs – and not just there to make up the numbers.

“If you had have told me 12 months ago when we were in lockdown that a year later we would be back in division one and sitting 4-0, I would have said ‘you’re dreaming’,” Bryars said.

“It’s been a real amazing ride so far.”

Bridgewater-Callington playing coach Sam Miles and president Simon Bryars. Picture: Supplied

While teams traditionally struggle to find their feet upon promotion, Bridgewater-Callington has thrived.

Victories over Mount Barker, Nairne-Bremer and Uraidla Districts have the Raiders off to a flying start and second on the ladder, only behind powerhouse reigning premier Hahndorf.

The biggest highlight however, was retaining the Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup after defeating rival Mount Lofty in round three.

It is a long way from where the club was at the end of 2014 when it was relegated “against its will”, according to Bryars.

“The club had struggling a bit for a while so it was probably good in a way that we did go down,” he said.

“What’s happened since then is we’ve really rebuilt.”

The Raiders split their home matches between Bridgewater and Callington with clubrooms at both grounds undergoing upgrades – the latter $1m development set to open this year.

Bridgewater-Callington's Nat Ryan takes a hanger against Mount Lofty. Picture: Trev Syme

The club won the division two flag in 2016 – breaking a 35-year A grade drought.

But it wasn’t until last year, with updated ovals and a strong financial position, Bryars said the club felt ready to make its case for promotion.

“Traditionally, you’ve got to win the A grade flag and then be promoted up,” he said.

“We applied outside of that, Nairne-Bremer had set the precedent a couple of years earlier and done a similar thing.

“We basically made a case to the HFL based on those factors that we were ready to go back up.

“In order for us to thrive, that’s where we needed to be.”

Bryars credited the early on-field success to a host of returning players, plus the introduction of long-time Mount Lofty servant Sam Miles as playing coach.

Bridgewater-Callington playing coach Sam Miles. Picture: Trev Syme

Bridgewater-Callington forward Daniel Gonzales in action. Picture: Trev Syme

Sturt premiership player and club junior Rune Gilfoy has come back to the club while Daniel Gonzales – who is the league’s leading goalkicker so far – has made an instant impact after joining from the Demons.

While the club is flying at the moment the president noted there was a lot of work still ahead to consolidate as a division one club and strengthen its junior sides.

“I’ve seen a lot over the years, a lot of changes and it’s a really exciting time at the moment,” Bryars said.

He also made note of the club’s volunteers who have done a power of work behind the scenes to rebuild the Raiders.

Bridgewater-Callington faces tough tests in the next two rounds when they take on finals sides Onkaparinga Valley and Lobethal.