St Patricks FC Sutherland Club History
In the Beginning the St Patrick's College Sports Club was created to give all students of the College the opportunity to take part in organised sport of their choice.” Sport, from the opening of the College in 1956, was always an important element in school life. Sports was limited in activities from 1956 to 1962 to colour competition on sports afternoon’s and weekend competition’s for a very limited amount of team’s and it was not until a meeting held in February 1963 that the Sport’s Club itself was kicked off.
`The aim of the Sport’s club was “to provide assistance to staff of St Patricks College to promote organised sport and to provide facilities for sport for the pupils of Christian Brothers College, Sutherland and allied convent schools.” Although this clause remains in the constitution of the Sport’s Club today, the aim has been extended over the years to include all ex-student’s of the College and the community of the Sutherland Shire.
Soccer was introduced into the Sport’s Club in 1966 and in that year entered 10 teams into the local competition. The first soccer uniform consisted of bottle-green plain shirts and black shorts. The first committee was as follows;
President: John Stevens
Secretary: John Mc Innes
Delegates: Kevin Lewis, Colin Wallace, Mr Van Earp
The club shared its home ground, Forest Road Oval, with Rugby League in the opening season and Mrs Lorna Lewis operated a canteen from a tent. Premiership success came in that first year with the 9C’s team.
The Soccer Club has built it’s foundations on being “the family club” and this is evident by the fact that the Club still boasts registered players from the families of the founding members. It also always welcomes new families each year and retains the ties with families that return year upon year. There is nothing like a Saturday morning in winter at St Pat’s Soccer Club, the smell of the BBQ, a hot coffee, a welcoming smile and the sounds of children having fun.
Our thanks to Darren McDonald (Club Historian) for contributing this summary
`The aim of the Sport’s club was “to provide assistance to staff of St Patricks College to promote organised sport and to provide facilities for sport for the pupils of Christian Brothers College, Sutherland and allied convent schools.” Although this clause remains in the constitution of the Sport’s Club today, the aim has been extended over the years to include all ex-student’s of the College and the community of the Sutherland Shire.
Soccer was introduced into the Sport’s Club in 1966 and in that year entered 10 teams into the local competition. The first soccer uniform consisted of bottle-green plain shirts and black shorts. The first committee was as follows;
President: John Stevens
Secretary: John Mc Innes
Delegates: Kevin Lewis, Colin Wallace, Mr Van Earp
The club shared its home ground, Forest Road Oval, with Rugby League in the opening season and Mrs Lorna Lewis operated a canteen from a tent. Premiership success came in that first year with the 9C’s team.
The Soccer Club has built it’s foundations on being “the family club” and this is evident by the fact that the Club still boasts registered players from the families of the founding members. It also always welcomes new families each year and retains the ties with families that return year upon year. There is nothing like a Saturday morning in winter at St Pat’s Soccer Club, the smell of the BBQ, a hot coffee, a welcoming smile and the sounds of children having fun.
Our thanks to Darren McDonald (Club Historian) for contributing this summary