The idea of Kiama having a junior AFL team was conceived at the half time interval of a Swans game in 1998. Tom Rawson and James Walton were watching the Auskickers running around at half time on the SGC and thought it’d nice if their kids could have the same opportunity. Tom and James initially looked to see if there was a junior competition in the area. After some research it was found there was none, but there was interest from others in the region to start one.
A meeting was arranged and held at North Dalton Park in late 1998, attended by representatives from what would become the following Clubs:
- Kiama Power
- Shellharbour Wildcats
- Port Kembla Magpies
- Figtree Kangaroos
- Wollongong Lions
- Northern Districts Tigers
The Kiama Power Junior club was established and played its first game in 1999. We had 42 kids register and fielded teams in Auskick, U10’s and U12’s.
In the first year of the club, games were played at the Kiama High School grounds. A tent was used as the canteen. This was picked up each week from the local Holden dealer and set up on the morning.
Check out the “modified” goals at the High School and the Auskick jerseys!
The canteen in 1999!
At the end of 1999 the Kiama Hockey Club vacated Bonaira Reserve to play at Albion Park and in 2000 the Kiama Power Juniors started playing its games at its current venue. It was always going to be a tight fit, but the dimensions of the ground just fitted the minimum requirements.
In 2000, we had four teams up and running: Auskick, Under 10’s who were Premiers (see photo), Under 12’s (grand finalists) and Under 14’s.
[If anyone has further history of the Club, including photographs, please forward to Tim Martin].