In the early 1970’s (1972–75) AFL on the Central Coast consisted of a single club, being the Gosford Tigers who had a First and Second grade team entered in the Newcastle competition.
Agitation for a Central Coast competition was growing and ultimately led to an advertisement seeking interested persons to form a club being placed in the then Advocate Newspaper, which served the Wyong Shire.
On wet evening of September 1975, a meeting that led to the formation of ‘The Lakes’ Australian Football Club was held in the CWA hall at Long Jetty. Those present included Mike and his son Mick Davey, Ian Granland and Phil Thomas. There was another party present. Unfortunately time now keeps the identity of that person secret.
Mike Davey, whom the Davey medal for the Fairest & Best in the Black Diamond Cup is named, was the inaugural ‘The Lakes’ President. Ian Granland was the Secretary and W.J Mellerick Treasurer.
The Lakes were based at Tacoma Oval, which had been recently developed. The only facilities at the ground were a male/female toilet and a concrete cricket pitch in the centre of the ground. Change rooms weren’t built until the late 70’s, requiring the erection of tents on game day.
William (Bill) Ayton was the Lakes first coach. Hailing from the Eastern Suburbs club in the Sydney completion, he assembled a team of both experienced players and newcomers. Bill went on to coach for the next six years.
The Central Coast Competition commenced in 1976, and consisted of five clubs, including ‘The Lakes’. (Gosford Tigers, Narara Wyoming Bulldogs, Terrigal Panthers & Woy Woy Swans)
W.G (Bill) READING captained The Lakes in their first year of completion. He was also the club first Best & Fairest recipient. The Lakes finished the season in Fourth position. The halcyon days lay ahead.
In 1977, The Lakes played a strong Gosford Tigers to go down by 10 points in the Grand Final. The following season the favour was returned and The Lakes triumphed over the Tigers, ironically by 10 points. In 1979, The Lakes won their second successive Grand Final, this time against a Woy Woy outfit that included Ray Pratt. In 1994, Ray was to be awarded Life Membership for his services to the Wyong Lakes AFC.
With players retiring and moving from the area, the following years saw a slow decline. The remainder of the 1980’s, albeit the best efforts of those involved, saw some dark days and long loosing streaks.
A constant during that period was the heroic efforts of the superbly gifted and equally tough John Van Dam. However, that too was to change when constant approaches saw him relocate and play a number of years with the Killarney Vale Bombers. Another highlight was the development of one of Wyong Lakes greats, Tony Bradford. Whilst he played a season with the Bateau Bay Blues, he later returned to the club, not unlike John Van Dam.
During that period a change of identity from ‘The Lakes’ to ‘Wyong’ was implemented with limited success. Later the committee ultimately re-badged the club ‘Wyong Lakes’ AFC, acknowledging the past and geographical area we represent.
1991 was a watershed year for Wyong Lakes AFC. David Ede relinquished his coaching role to use his administrative skills and pull off a coo, securing noted Terrigal player Brett Kilpatrick as First Grade coach. Brett started work quickly building a more than competent senior squad. In that first year, First grade went deep into the finals and reserve grade unfortunately lost the Grand Final.
The club earned respect in the follow years, being a consistent combatant but never quiet able to challenge for the ultimate prize.
In 2000, the Central Coast League amalgamated with the Newcastle Completion to form the Black Diamond League. Football can be cyclical. Once again with the departures, longer travelling times and retirement of players, the club struggled to field a competitive First grade squad. In 2001, the club decided to withdraw from the Black Diamond Cup competition. With successive Second Grade Premierships in 2003–4, 2005 saw Wyong Lakes return to the Black Diamond Cup.
With mixed results, 2012 saw the club take the decision that a rebuilt was required and withdrew a team from the Black Diamond Cup and attend to a rebuild. In 2014, the League introduced a third men’s completion enabling Wyong Lake AFC to build and grow playing numbers. This resulted in a Premiership in 2014.
In 2015, one of the most significant steps taken by the club was to nominate a team into the maiden female competition within the Black Diamond League. No doubt history will show this to be one of the best decision taken by the club’s committee.
The club is currently working hard towards developing and growing its junior base, which now also includes two female squads. Any time Wyong Lakes AFC has been strong, it is generally accompanied by matriculation of junior talent into the senior squad. Senior numbers have stabilised and now the challenge is to grow them. We work towards to a culture of inclusiveness and respect for each other. Surely success will build with the right foundation in place.
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