Winchelsea Blues mark historic 150th anniversary

The Winchelsea Football Netball Club will celebrate a monumental 150-year milestone later this month, with past and present players, members, officials and supporters invited to join the festivities.

Founded in 1876, the Winchelsea Football Netball Club is among the oldest football clubs in Australia, with generations of local families having contributed to its rich sporting and community history.

The historic weekend begins with a 150 Year Celebration Luncheon at 11.45am on Saturday, June 27, at Eastern Reserve in Winchelsea.

Life member, former player and premiership reserves coach Phil Wilson said the milestone represented much more than football and netball.

“Absolutely memorable times that I’ll never forget.”

A two-course meal will commence the weekend, followed by iconic guest speakers reflecting on the rich and expansive history of the club.

“It’s the heartbeat of the town,” Wilson said.

“I cherish the time growing up in Winchelsea and made lifelong friends from all my years at the footy club.”

The luncheon will feature guest speakers reflecting on the rich history of the club, while attendees will also be able to watch the Blues take on North Geelong in the senior football clash beginning at 2.30pm.

Wilson said organisers had spent months contacting former players, coaches, presidents and officials to ensure as many people as possible could be part of the celebrations.

“It’d be just great for them to feel like they’re still part of this club,” Wilson said.

Following the senior game, celebrations will continue with the unveiling of the club’s Team of the Quarter Century, recognising the best players from Winchelsea’s 25 years in the Geelong and District Football Netball League.

A heritage jumper auction, major raffle and memorabilia displays will also form part of Saturday’s festivities, with celebrations continuing into the evening.

The anniversary celebrations will continue on Sunday with a Family Day designed to showcase the next generation of players and supporters.

The day will feature an AusKick clinic, junior football matches, a petting zoo and food provided by the Winchelsea Lions Club.

The clubroom bar will be open throughout the day, while football and netball panels will revisit the previous day’s action and share stories from across the club’s 150-year history.

For Wilson, the highlight will be reconnecting with former teammates, volunteers and supporters returning to Winchelsea from across Australia.

“Just to see their faces and for them to feel like they’re still part of this club,” he said.

“A lot of them are making their way from interstate, so it’ll be great to catch up and relive some of those memories.”

Bookings for the Saturday luncheon are essential and must be made before June 13 via TryBooking.