The Short
Our club was established in 1997 as the Macquarie Magpies fielding a team in the senior and junior competition. At the conclusion of the 2002 season it was decided to change the club colours in favour of the Adelaide Crows strip. This step was taken to unify our junior and senior sides.
The Lake Macquaire Crows AFC is situated between the Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. We are the youngest Club in the Black Diamond Football League, arguably one of the strongest country leagues in NSW.
Our vision is to grow to be a dominate force in the BDAFL and Greater Sydney Junior leagues by embracing our philosophy of engaging children, adults & parents for fun and fitness.Our core focus will always be the promotion of Australian Rules Football and to ensure the game is played in its traditional sprit.The Lake Macquaire Crows football club provides a fun and safe environment for children and parents of all ages to get involved.
The Long
Lake Macquarie Australian Football Club originated some nine years ago as the brainchild of football lovers Neale and Elizabeth Dennis. A former Tasmanian and devout Collingwood fan and a strong supporter of local football, Neale approached associates John and Jodi Janissen along with Bob and Vicki Manic to ascertain their interest in starting up a new first grade team in the then Black Diamond Football League. John Janissen, having recently moved to the local area and finishing a twenty year association with the Newcastle City Australian Football League, jumped at the opportunity to 'get behind the idea of a local club'.
The first goal of the venture was to convince the current controlling body, the Newcastle Australian Football League, that the Club could be self sufficient, well managed and, overall, positive for the local competition. After numerous meetings, negotiations and financial commitment, the team finally convinced the BDAFL that it was capable of joining the competition and fulfilling the requirements imposed. The Club was given approval to enter the 1996 season with the proviso that they also create a junior club base to follow the seniors.
After a hectic pre-season of fundraising, recruiting and ground searching we entered the competition with a Collingwood strip. We were fortunate to locate facilities at Tulkaba Park, Teralba which was then only being used by one league team and had reasonable facilities. By season's kick off we had one senior side and an Under 12's team comprising about 30 players and a handful of dedicated supporters. The Magpies initiation was tough but the team stuck it out and showed gradual improvement by the season's end.
At the beginning of 1997 the club had not picked up many new players and it was quite obvious that without new blood injecting fresh enthusiasm the season to follow would be a struggle. The then committee of John and Jodi with the introduction of new members and football enthusiasts Lois and Peter King made the difficult decision to drop the senior side to concentrate on continuing the growth and development of the junior core, with a bunch of new kids clearly showing us the direction we needed to take.
From 1997 to 2002 the Macquarie Magpies continued to grow on and off the field with the formation of a management structure and terrific support from members and players. Our first junior President was Terry Sutcliffe, who lead with the long term committee and introduced fabulous support personnel in Kris Steere, Tania and Ray Gooley, Peter Jessop, Ghabrial and Graham Dudgeon.
At the conclusion of season 2002, again the Club came to a crossroads. Our under 16's side had outgrown their junior ranks. A decision had to be made to take the next step and become a senior club again so as to retain our players and provide a platform for our future junior players. With the great support of people like Peter Jessop, John Relic, Tania Gooley, and Del Bovill we went back to the current board of Management and asked to be included in the senior draw. We hit many walls during our negotiations but thankfully turned a corner with the Board when were given permission to play in the Under 18 competition filling in a void Nelson Bay Football Club had left by their inability that season to field an 18s side.
At this time, it was decided to change the Club colours in favour of the Adelaide Crows strip. This step was taken in a bid to unify our Junior and Senior sides, as Wyong Lakes Senior Club already had the Collingwood strip.
About the same time, Lake Macquarie Council approached us and asked if the Club would like to be involved in funding grants for ground improvements which were to encompass new lighting and amenities. This project was lead by the engineering and negotiation expertise of Peter Jessop and a hard working Committee. We secured funding for new lighting and amenities that were completed during the beginning of season 2005 giving facilities second to none in the local area.
2006 saw a major leap for our club as interest sparked locally and nationally helping in recruiting players from around Australia. During presentations later that year a best and fairest board was unveiled above the bar at the Teralba Bowling Club. This board displays some of the great talent in our club from players, coaches and management.
As we now turn to face 2009 we not only face many challenges but also a fun and enjoyable year ahead of us. This is a big year for the club as we work our way to the top for the senior competition in 2010.
And as always our long term goals...........
To continue to improve and to continue having fun, on and off the field!
Go the Mighty Crows!