The idea of Kiama having a junior AFL team was conceived at the half time interval of a Sydney Swans game in 1998.
Tom Rawson and James Walton were watching the Auskickers running around at half time on the Sydney Cricket Ground and thought that it would be nice if their kids could have the same opportunity.
The two initially looked to see if there was a junior competition in the area and, after some research, 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, with 42 players registered – fielding teams in Auskick, U10’s and U12’s.
In the first year of the club, games were played at the Kiama High School grounds with modified goal posts and a tent was used as the canteen, which was picked up each week from the local Holden dealer and set up on the morning.
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.
