The club at the heart of Winchelsea celebrates 150 years

ONE of Australia’s oldest sporting clubs will celebrate a major milestone this weekend when Winchelsea Football Netball Club marks 150 years of history.

Founded in 1876, the Blues will host reigning Geelong and District Football Netball League premiers North Geelong as part of a day-long celebration expected to attract former players, supporters and families from across the country.

Leading the celebrations will be first-year president Angus Leigh.

“Everyone has been talking about [the milestone] for years, to be honest,” he said. “It’s the biggest year in club history.

“If people are struggling or dealing with whatever they’ve got in their own lives, you can come down to the club with your best mates and everything else doesn’t matter for a few hours. It’s almost a community within the community, especially being a small town.”

Celebrations will begin with a luncheon before the senior football match at 2pm, where players will wear special heritage guernseys.

A selection of the guernseys will be auctioned after the game, while the club will also announce its Team of the Quarter Century.

A Sunday Funday event will round out the festivities.

The anniversary carries additional significance for Leigh, whose family has been involved with the club for generations.

His father and great-grandfather both served as president, while his grandfather was secretary and his mother spent time as treasurer.

“I was the little rat bag that had the old man as the president, running around and terrorising everyone,” he said.

“It’s just a special place, Winch. I think any football club would probably tell you the same, but when your family’s been involved for so long, it holds a pretty special place in my heart, that’s for sure.”

Leigh said the club was expecting a strong turnout, with former players and supporters travelling from interstate and overseas to attend.

“This is a moment to celebrate,” he said.

The celebrations will coincide with one of Winchelsea’s biggest matches of the season, with the third-placed Blues hosting reigning premiers North Geelong.

Winchelsea remains firmly in the hunt for its first finals appearance since 2014.