the Katoomba Lions - starting a football club from scratch

[Phil Doyle]

the Katoomba Lions, covering the area from Linden to Lithgow, have been formed in the upper Blue Mountains.

This club is pretty much starting from scratch. While I recognise that resources are tight for many people involved in Grass Roots footy I'd like to send out a big Bigfooty.com request for people to help us out.

We basically need everything that you'd associate with a footy club. we have thirty-odd kids ranging from six to 14 involved in a bit of a kick to kick every Sunday, and we are trying to organise some scratch matches as well.

The ambitious plan is to field a seniors side in the Central Western (NSW) League in 2003. For now the travel is a bit much for the juniors, but we are hoping to develop to the stage where we can participate in regional matches against other junior leagues next year as well.

We are incorporated and have a basic constitution, and insurance through affiliation to the NSW-ACT AFL.

One of the things we are looking at is a 'sister club' arrangement. the Blue Mountains is a wonderful place to visit, and we'd like to promote it as an end of season destination for senior and junior clubs alike.

To give you an idea of what it's like to set up an Australian Football club in a Rugby League heartland, when we asked the council for goalposts they offered some soccer goals. I had to show them a picture.

if anyone on this list is ever holidaying in the Blue Mountains, be sure to get in touch with myself for a bit of old-fashioned football hospitality!

[keatings_gal]

good on ya buddy
sounds like a great plan u have
i am sure that the kids love it...
if there is anything that we can do up in brissie for ya
just give us a hoy & we can see what we can do for ya

good luck with it all

[Phil Doyle]

Now if the Lions, or their supporters, had a few jumpers they were throwing away...

feel free to spread the word KG! My email address is phildoyle2000@yahoo.com.au

[Slax]

well done phil keep spreading the word

[Mobbenfuhrer]

Have you contacted Fitzroy FC?

[AeroBoy]

Heck, try contacting the Brisbane Lions.


Some of the AFL clubs are very helpful and supportive of regional clubs who are wearing their jumper.

I remember an article about twelve months ago about either Richmond or Essendon who were trying to form affiliations with any clubs that were using their jumper and logo.



AeroBoy

[timelord]

This is great news, but just one problem.

Would Dubbo be prepared to travel that far? Or Parkes for that matter? Bathurst, CSU and Orange wouldn't have a problem I'm sure and I assume Cowra would be relatively cool with it. And we can't leave out Mudgee in the 2's.

I just wonder if Katoomba might be better off purely in travel terms with the SFA? But then again.......

Just some food for thought, Phil!

[Wayde Petersen]

Congratulations for attempting to get a team up there Phil, I wish you the best of luck in finding the 50+ players you need to form a football club (providing that you plan to field a seniors and reserves side) and an Auskick program.

You should try contacting the Brisbane Lions (they sponsor Beverly Hills, South Morang, Fitzroy Reds, the Eastern Lions and Bulleen-Templestowe ? in Melbourne) or the Swans, or even the AFL, i'm sure that they would donate some equiptment for you, considering that you're starting up in New South Wales.

But anyway, get the message out to everyone that's prepared to listen, Aussie Rules is starting up in the Blue Mountains.

[Port Adelaide 1870]

Phil,,
You and your mates are absolute champions...good luck!!:) :)

PA1870

[Phil Doyle]

Thanks for all the support and suggestions guys. I will be in touch with both Fitzroy and Brisbane.
Wayde and Timelord, we'll only be fielding one grade - probably along the Mudgee model in the seconds. or be their 'Reserve Grade' if Mudgee want to elevate to the firsts. It all is early days obviously, and rounding up twenty-five blokes is our first objective.
The irony of the Dubbo question is that the SFA is probably more reluctant to have us given the travel. Mind you, this is part and parcel of bush footy in Rugby league areas. Cooma had a 200k round trip to play in the Canberra district comp.
In our favour is that that the local Rugby League club has no senior side at the moment, so we will be able to grab a few of their blokes - probably. We're already talking about sharing a pre-season and that sort of thing.
The other job is getting local businesses on side.
It's all part of the great adventure.
I'm also interested in hearing from people who have experience of founding a club, to learn from their experiences.
Once again, feel free to get in touch.

[Wayde Petersen]

One word of advice Phil, the first businesses you should contact is a local pub (is there a pub near your footy ground), go to one of them and say, "If you sponsor us, you get a plaque your hotel advertised on our jumper, and we will host presentation nights, ****-ups etc at your hotel", the money they'll shell out through that, they would get back easily through any social functions you'll host there.

And if you get enough players, try to get their places of work to sponsor the club (make a sponsors board of all your backers, the one's that have given the most money, will get a more prominent place on the board etc.).

Also, have a coterie group of supporters (providing you have the numbers), and provide them hive free beer and snacks at half time, for them shelling out more money.

These are only a few things you can do to acquire the capital needed to fund a football team, but I think you should contact a local club (eg Mudgee) and ask them how they raise money, i'm sure they will help you out. GOOD LUCK PHIL AND GO LIONS IN 2003.