North Coast AFL celebrates 40 years as clubs descend on C.ex Stadium
Gala day at C.ex Stadium featuring teams from Lismore to Port Macquarie followed by gala dinner celebrating a special milestone
Coffs Harbour
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Rain may have returned for the weekend but it didn’t dampen spirits at an impressive North Coast AFL gala day on Saturday.
12 senior men’s and women’s squads competed in a pre-season hit out at C.ex Stadium ahead of a special dinner to mark 40 consecutive AFL seasons on the North Coast.
This year the competition has expanded to include Casino Lions, Lismore Swans and Nambucca Valley Lions.
AFL North Coast community football manager Paul Taylor said there couldn’t have been a better way to welcome the new clubs into the competition than by having a series of matches in the one place with no pressure on the sides.
Even some sides were sharing players which Mr Taylor said was an example of how the clubs were focused on working together to build the game across the region.
The collegial approach seemed to be working, especially with the rapid expansion of the women’s competition, up from three to seven.
“Footy is loved right up and down the North Coast. It’s been that way for 40 years and we’re proud to see our game go from strength to strength in this area,” he said.
After the matches, the clubs and administration will come together to celebrate 40 years with a Gala dinner at the C.ex club.
Six teams contested the first season (then called North Coast AFL) in 1982: North Coffs Kangaroos, South Coffs Swans, Grafton Tigers, Urunga Hawks, Woolgoolga Blues, Port Macquarie Magpies, with Woolgoolga the inaugural Premiers.
“There is a lot of history in every footy club and we’ll use the 40-year milestone to spur on our players and fans to achieve even more this year,” Port Macquarie Magpies’ foundation club president Mick Rolfe said.
There have been multiple draftees from AFL North Coast, with the league’s women making the biggest impact on the elite brand.
Nikki Wallace played for the Brisbane Lions in the AFLW and is now the Captain of North Melbourne’s VFL side. Originally from Sawtell, Wallace represents AFL North Coast whenever she takes the field.
Other listed players include Brianna McFarlane (Brisbane Lions), Georgia Breward (Gold Coast Suns), Jake Brown (Sydney Swans).
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