Club History

In 1999 a group of children were assembled by the AFL Development Team on the Central Coast to form an Auskick centre which was to feed into the Gosford AFC.

Glen Allen and Doug Studdert took control of the group which was split into two teams. One was an Auskick group and the other was an under 10's team. The club had its own identity as Niagara Park and we trained at Niagara Park Primary School and had no home ground. It was soon apparant that the children formed a strong bond with each other and the thought of disbanding at the end of the season to go to Gosford AFC was now not a consideration.

The children played as Niagara Park Demons and were given jerseys by the AFL to play as a club which did not sit well with other clubs. As the season progressed the children played some inspiring football and found themselves in the grand final playing none other than Gosford AFC. It was a hard game however Niagara Park ended up winning 3-1-19 to 1-4-10 in its first season of football. We also won the CCJAFL Cup for Auskick centre of the year. At the end of the season a group of parents took the step to affiliate the club at a room underneath Hungry Jacks at West Gosford and we became known as Niagara Park Junior AFC. The first officials for the club were Doug Studdert as President and Les Egan as Treasurer.

The following year Niagara Park had an under 10's and under 12's and played our games at Paddy Clifton Oval number two. It was a difficult year as there were no amentities block and we had to carry all the equipment to the side of the ground and set up makeshift tents and use a generator for our power. At the beginning of season 2001 we could not field enough players for our teams and it was decided to have an Auskick centre and make a commitment to try again the following season. The committee for 2001 was Doug Studdert as President and Dave Lardner as Treasurer and Auskick coach. 2002 saw the re-emergance of the Niagara Park AFC with Auskick, Under 10's and Under 12's. We moved to Paddy Clifton Oval number one and Debbie Studdert and Kathy Cutcliffe resumed their positions in the club as social and canteen officials. Throughout the seasons since we have established an under 14's team and a successful under 10's team which established Niagara Park as a club to look out for.

To the end of 2004, we have one player who has played one hundred games for the club and eight players who have played fifty games. A list of people who contributed to the success of Niagara Park JAFC include President Doug Studdert, Treasurers Les Egan and Dave Lardner, Secretaries including Tony Buttigeig, Coral Corrin, Anne Williams, Louise O'Brien and Kim Leecroft, Social and canteen committee Debbie Studdert and Kathy Cutcliffe and numerous coaches including Doug Studdert, Glen Allen, Tony Buttigieg, Dave Lardner, Mathew Studdert, Stephen Head, Derek Leecroft and Managers including Brian Geary, Debbie Studdert, Glen Cutcliffe, Warrick Hobart, Ron Menier and Paul Enders.

2004 also saw Doug Studdert annouced as the Clubs 1st Life Member

2005

Team success saw the under 12’s reach the Grand Final only to go down narrowly to Gosford in an entertaining and nail biting game.

Individual Honours saw a number of NPJAFC players and coaches win awards at the CCJAFL Presentation night.

• Dave Lardner for U/12’s Coach of the Year
• Zac Gentle for U/12’s Best and Fairest
• Ryan Shaw runner up U/14’s Best and Fairest
• Mathew Studdert runner up U/16’s Best and Fairest
• Alex Cutcliff CCJAFL best 1st year Umpire.

In addition, 6 players across all age groups represented the club in the CCJAFL Representative Teams.

2005 also saw a number of players reach the magical 50 and 100 games for the club which is an outstanding effort.

2006

2006 saw a changing of the guard both at Club and Regional levels. Doug Studdert stood down from the President’s role after 7 years of service to the club, and the new AFLGSJ’s took over running of Football on the Central Coast.

It has been an interesting year to say the least. In regards to success, I think the Club has achieved it both on and off field.

Participation Numbers

2006 saw the club have 76 Registered Players, in both Auskick and Age Competitions.

• 22 - Auskickers
• 37 -10’s and 12’s
• 17 - 14’s

Of the total numbers, 56 returned from the 2005 season which represented an 88% retention rate, well above the AFLGSJ level of 67% and that of the AFLGSJCCR of 76%.

New Recruitment figures of 20 represented 26% of the total numbers, somewhat lower than the AFLGSJCCR average of 37%. This saw a total net growth for the club of 19%. AFLGSJCCR average 13%.

 On Field

Steve, Stuart and Melissa and the Under 10’s showed everyone where the future stars of the club were going to come from. It is a very difficult age to coach and manage, mixing skills development and a non competitive approach to the young tearaways who want to get out their and beat the opposition. All managed to do this to great affect.

On field successes continued for our Under 12’s winning the Premiership after falling at the last hurdle last year. Congratulations goes to Ron, Vicki and Dave and all the players for a great season, The atmosphere at the ground and support the club has was outstanding and showed everyone within the league how strong the team spirit is within the club. The after game celebrations at Paddy Clifton was great to see, and the team club spirit showed when the team dunked both Ron and Dave into the muddy puddles and stood over them to sing the club song.

2006 saw the club enter our own Under 14’s team after our brief flirtation with Peninsular Swans last year and although there was a lack of success on the field, Doug, Ian, Debbie, Campbell and the Team should be congratulated for their efforts week in , week out and the improvement shown from the 1st to the last game holds the team in good steed for the coming season

Congratulations to all those who picked up awards at our Presentation night and in particular to Debbie and Dave for their Life Memberships. It is this unwavering support from the volunteers which will see the club continue to prosper.

Looking towards 2007, a new Committee will form and continue the hard work everyone has put in this year. A new Under 9’s Non Competition will commence next year and the Club should continue to strive for an Under 16’s.

2007

2007:- Another year over and it has been quite a year. The club entered an Under 9's team for the first time adding to the 10's 12's and 14's. Unfortunetly we didn't have the numbers we would have liked for the 16's so that we have to wait until 2008.

It has been a somewhat turbulent season both on and off the field. It is ironic that at the start of the season I had a meeting with council regarding the possible closure of grounds due to the drought. In fact it was the heavy rain that prevented us from getting onto the ground a number of times throughout the year. And over the June long weekend, we could have in fact held the NPJAFC Swimming championships; such was the amount of water on the oval. The flood saw a number of club members come together to rescue most of the clubs equipment save that which was already lost and I would like to thank Phil Friend and Doug and Matt Studdert for their efforts on that cold and wet night, Without them our loss would have been greater. .

2007 saw the club field teams in Auskick, Under 9’s, 10’s 12’s and 14’s which is a great effort. For a small club like ours to have reached the finals in both competitive age groups is a huge honour. We had 11 players represent the Central Coast in teams from the Under 11’s through to the Under 14’s. And also saw 3 members from our 14’s represent the club in the State trials at Narranderra with the regional Northern Heat Under 13 and 14 sides. All three players accounted for themselves extremely well. We also had 1 player make the Sydney Metropolitan North PSSA Side. This not only reflects on the individuals who make the representative sides but also brings added honours onto the club.

Participation Numbers

2007 saw the club have 87 Registered Players, in both Auskick and Age Competitions.

• 16 - Auskickers
• 27 - 9's and 10’s
• 44 - 12's and 14’s

2008 sees the club celebrate its 10 year anniversary and there are plans already in place to ensure that the club celebrates this milestone.

2008

Tony Harnett took the reins of the Auskickers and although numbers were down, all players participating in the program had a great time and hopefully we will see them develop into valued members of the player group in years to come.

The Under 9’s fell away with few clubs having the numbers, so our “ Nomads” played a mix of Auskick/ 9‘s and 10’s during the year. Max Enders put his hand up to coach the team and despite the nomadic style fulfilled the role with aplomb.

Derek had charge of the 10’s and with the number of players bolstered by the 9’seach week, had healthy numbers each week. The group developed as a team throughout the year and the scoreboard at the end of the year would have been more wins than loses had we kept score.

In the 12’s numbers were down again, and saw the club having to forfeit a game for the first time. With a number of 10’s playing up each week, Matt O’Shea had the team in finals contention up until the last copy of games.

Steve Head had the largest playing group and his efforts as well as that of the players saw them reach the finals, unfortunately due to absences and injury’s, the team failed to forge ahead past the 1st semi final.

Doug Studdert was again at the helm of a new age group with the Club fielding an Under 16’s for the first time. Numbers were scratchy at the start but by the end of the season, numbers were sufficient to not have to be loaned players from the opposition. The camaraderie the Team developed during the season was outstanding and despite littlie success on the scoreboard, every team knew that when the took the filed against the Demons, the win was going to have to be earned

Congratulations to all those players who represented the Club during the representative Season. It is a great achievement. Well done also to Max Enders and Thomas Head who were selected to represent the Northern Heat Under 14 Representative Side.

2009

After a number of departures from the club, new Coaches were sought. 

Chris Ranzetta, Terrigal Seniors Player and AFL Development Staff Member kindly threw his hat in the ring and take on the role as our Auskick Coordinator. With an influx of Auskickers compared to last year which saw a total of 17 Kids have their first taste of AFL with the Club. All had a great time which saw at least half travel down for the Annual Swans Half Time game, this year a night game against West Coast and all had a great time. A big thank you to Chris and hopefully he hasn't been deterred from taking on the role next year 

Again Under 9's fell over and they joined with the 10's. Max Enders took on the role as Coach, ably assisted by Ethan Formby. The two Coaches had the team playing great footy, and even though we don't keep score, were well ahead of the ledger come seasons end. The group further developed their skills with some of the team playing up in the 12's each week and accounting for themselves very well.

In the 12’s, numbers were healthy and Michael Warn put his hand up to Coach this restless age group. Despite the lack of success on the scoreboard, the team showed some great play in patches, and with the majority still Under 12's next year, should see a more competitive year pushing towards the finals.

Unfortunately, due to a large number of players departing, some  due to relocation others seeking a winning team, NiagaraPark were unable to field an Under 14's side in 2009. After much soul searching and discussions, a joint venture with Northern Lakes Power was formed, with Tony Kibler and Steve Head sharing the coaching roles. Despite the merge  and the players commitment, the team were just not big enough physically to compete with the more established clubs. The one big effort was in defeating the Terrigal side, who showed great sportsmanship in lending the team a couple of their better players.

Our prime objective in 2010 is to field our own under 14's with emphasis on recruiting players for this age group 

Doug Studdert was again at the helm of the Under 16s for his 11th and final year with the club. With a number of new players, the team sheet looked health and with early wins against Gosford and Terrigal, looked to be in Finals contention, however a mid season fade saw the team fail to make the elusive final series, although they were extremely competitive in all games. The final game against Wyong saw Doug, Debbie and Brad Studdert end their long association with the club. It was a very emotional Doug who made his final words to his beloved Team and Club

NPJAFC again produced a large number of players who represented the Club during the Representative Season. It is a great achievement. Well done also to Max Enders and Thomas Head who were selected to represent the Northern Heat Under 15 Representative Side.

2009 also saw Brad Studdert become the first player to reach the magic milestone of 150 Competitive games with the club. An outstanding effort

Next year sees more changes with the Studderts moving on to Seniors, and we wish them well, but see the need for others to take up the mantle and fill the void.

Total Numbers for the 2009 were

Under 16's- 21

Under 14's - 8

Under 12s -15

Under 10's –16

Auskickers - 17

Remember, As the saying goes in football, there is always next year.

Last Updated Tuesday, January 26 2010 @ 03:56 PM EST|1,208 Hits