THE BIRTH OF CAROLINE SPRINGS FC
On May the 15th, 2002, Mark Penaluna (General Manager WRFL), Peter McDougall (Club Development Manager Football Victoria & WRFL) and John Batty (Development Manager Football Victoria, Western Region), met with Gabrielle Leigh (Principle of The Brookside School), Peter Forbes (Principle of Mowbray College) and Chris Kent (Christ the Priest Catholic Primary School) to discuss developing the game of football in the area.
From this meeting it was decided to hold a public interest meeting on the 19th of June 2002. This meeting was to determine the level of interest of creating a local football club in the area. This meeting was promoted throughout the community ensuring the best possible turnout. With an attendance of approx 80 people, including representatives from the AFL, Football Victoria, The Western Bulldogs F.C, Williamstown & Collingwood F.C, Western Jets F.C, Melton Council, Local Councillor Gary Stock, all schools in the area and developers of the area, Delfin. With such a great turnout, it was obvious that the people wanted a club in Caroline Springs. From this meeting a steering committee was formed to investigate all options in starting up a club in the area.
Picture: Brent Deale (middle) - Caroline Springs inaugural President
This committee consisted of Peter McDougall - Chairman (Club Development Manager AFL & Football Victoria, Western Region) John Hyett (Football Victoria Board Member & Former Shire of Melton Commissioner), Cr Gary Stock (Shire of Melton Councillor), Ashley Pittard (Shire of Melton Recreation Development Officer), Rob Dagnall (Delfin), Brent Deale (Caroline Springs Auskick Coordinator), Charles Branciforte (The Brookside School), Chris Kent (Christ the Priest Catholic Primary School), Jane Lockwood, Sean O'Leary, Glenn Sowter, Mark Tenaglia and Paul Walker (All representing the community of Caroline Springs).
This steering committee met every two weeks from then onwards to create the Caroline Springs F.C. The Club became incorporated and also incorporated the Caroline Springs Sporting Club for the future.
During this period a relationship was developed with the Williamstown & Collingwood F.C's to help develop football in the area. This partnership had been signed off, creating a life long financial and resources agreement. This partnership was worked through with the General Manager of the Williamstown F.C, Brendan Curry. The steering committee agreed that the club colours will be those of the two clubs being Black, White, Royal Blue & Gold. It was here that they were given the name of "The Lakers".
Developers of the Caroline Springs community, Delfin, also agreed to assist financially to help the club with their start up costs.
With both these partnerships, the club was given a flying start.
The Inaugural Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday the 15th of October 2002 at the Brookside School, Federation Drive, Caroline Springs. This historical meeting saw the election of office bearers for the very first time. The following positions were filled:
President - Brent Deale
Vice Pres - Glen Sowter
Secretary - Sean O'Leary
Treasurer - Marc Tenaglia
Committee - Jane Lockwood (Public Officer)
Paul Walker
The rest, as they say, is History. Let's all work together and make our own history by ensuring that the Caroline Springs Football Club is a success in the WRFL.
