| welcome to our club |
| The discovery of gold in the 1850's along Forest Creek saw one of the world's largest migrations to a particular location with people coming from all parts of the globe. Tens of thousands of people occupied, or streamed through this valley that had become the richest shallow alluvial gold field in the world. The soccer ground is situated on a very historic site that was once a rich alluvial gold field, then a market area, in conjunction with hotels, grain stores and even a school site! |
The home ground of the CASTLEMAINE GOLDFIELDS F.C. is the Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park situated on the corner Fryers Road and Pyrenees Highway in the picturesque rural township of Chewton, about four kilometres east of Castlemaine. |
| The Castlemaine Soccer Club has a proud history in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League dating back to 1973. Soccer was also popular here in the 1950s, and over the decades, various teams have brought home League Championships. Several Castlemaine players have achieved outstanding success -representing Victoria in national competition AND, one of our founding members played for the Australian Olympic team! Drawing on a regional population of only about 15,000 people, the CASTLEMAINE GOLDFIELDS F.C. has seen exponential growth in our junior ranks, with huge numbers of both boys and girls participating in our Roo-ball programs and then significant numbers progressing into our junior teams which participate in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League's (mixed-gender) competitions. Soccer in Castlemaine has quite a long history but it is only in the last decade that the club has really grown – we now have well over 200 members each year. Currently it runs 2 senior teams and 11 junior teams. As well as these, we run 2 Goalkick sessions where young, beginner players can learn and practise their skills. The home of Castlemaine Soccer is the Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park which taps into a long, proud history with the region. The club is actively looking at expansion plans as it needs more fields due to the increase in interest in the club. We are a pro- active club and have developed a 5 year Strategic Plan for the future and have plans for a secure water supply etc. We regularly gain grants for safety equipment, first aid, coaches training, referee courses, etc. The club prides itself on its family focus. One of the great things about the sport is that girls and boys can play in the same teams and this attracts families to the sport. We also encourage women-young and not so young –to form a League team. For a written history of the Club and its many achievements, visit the Clubrooms and see the display in the trophy cabinet. Club Colours: SHIRT Green, Gold with Black Checks, SHORTS Black, SOCKS Black. |
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The Official Website of the CASTLEMAINE GOLDFIELDS F.C. 2014
| CASTLEMAINE GOLDFIELDS F.C. |
About Us
| Thank you to our sponsors Castlemaine Fruit Supply Frank Paul Carpenter Trust Coffee Basics Olivers Sports Castlemaine Rotary Mt Alexander Shire Maxi IGA Castlemaine Castlemaine Lions Club Wesley Hill Bakehouse Chewton General Store Maldon Community Bank Mulchit Jai Baker Earthmoving Jims Pizza Steve Breheny Electrician Maree Edwards MP |
| GOLDFIELDS SOCCER CLUB CELEBRATES 40 YEARS |
Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club kicked up its heels last weekend to celebrate
turning 40.
Nearly 100 juniors took over the club’s home ground at Soldiers Memorial Park,
Chewton, on Saturday for a morning of fun, fairy floss, jumping castles and small-
sided matches.
That night, around 90 guests attended a birthday “party” at the New Northern at
which a club history book was launched and men’s and women’s All Star teams were
announced.
Then, on Sunday while visitors browsed the extensive display of records, articles, old
playing tops and other historical items in the clubrooms, the three senior teams put
icing on the birthday cake by each winning their match.
As one club stalwart remarked on Sunday evening, “It’s been a rich weekend. It’s
linked the past to the present and given a context in which the club operates in the
community today.”
Saturday evening’s celebration brought together players from across the 40 years
since the club formed in 1974.
Original players in that first season, Jim Shepherd, and the Evans brothers, Mick,
Bob and Terry, who arrived in Castlemaine from England, were among the guests.
Special 40th anniversary certificates were awarded to the Leversha and Berry
families, to club legend Jim Shepherd, Rob Schroeder (president 1998,1999, 2000)
and wife Pam (former treasurer), and long-time player, current committeeman and
all-round hard worker, Ray West.
Chief organizer of the weekend’s celebrations, Robyn Lewis, who along with Mick
Evans, authored the club history book which was launched by noted soccer historian
Roy Hall on the night, also received a “thank you” certificate.
Praising the book for its thoroughness and honesty, Roy Hall said that the club could
be proud of its place in the local community and he noted its goal of inclusion above
winning.
MC for the evening, current club president Ian Flavell, read an excerpt from a 1913
Bendigo Advertiser article reporting a game at Camp Reserve between workers from
Thompsons’ Foundry.
The reporter observed that soccer was slow compared with “the Victorian game”
(Australian Rules) and would not “take on” in Castlemaine.
“The fact that we’re here this evening celebrating shows how wrong that prediction
was,” Ian noted.
One of the evening’s highlights was the announcement of the All Star teams.
The women’s team featured Lyn West and two of her daughters, Michelle and
Christine Duffy, as well as Linda Newton and her two daughters, Sarah and Becky.
Current players included Jayde Steer, Bridget Woods, Kate Forrest and Iona Muller.
The men’s team, on the other hand, featured only one current player, gutsy
midfielder Jono Burris.
Many players from the club’s sole championship year, way back in 1980, rated
spots. These included playing coach, Celly McCluskey, Bob Evans, George Dolphin,
Tom Penny, Graham West, Mick Evans, Brian Harding, Peter Noulton and
goalkeeper Jim Shepherd.
Women’s All Stars
Playing coaches Lyn West 1994-
2014* Linda Newton 1994-2001
Forwards
Jayne Bassett 1998-2011, Bridget Woods 2008-14*,
Tanika Wolff 2008-11, Christine Duffy 2008-13
Midfield
Emily Leversha 2001-2008, Danni Lowry 1995-2002,
Michelle Duffy 2004-2013, Sarah Newton 1994-2004
Defenders
Jayde Steer 2000-2014, Lauron Gowty 1996-2012,
Kate Forrest 2010-2014, Becky Newton 1998-2010
Goalkeepers
Kythera Watson-Bonnice 1999-2002
Iona Moller 2009-2014*
Men’s All Stars
Playing coaches
Head/playing coach - Celly McCluskey 1979-81
Assistant/playing coach - Terry Attwood 2002-13
Forwards
Bob Evans 1974-86, George Papadimos 1986-94, Nick Burris 2002-11,
Jean Lucchesi 2003-06, John Gunter 2002-12*
Midfield
Peter Richardson 1981-2007, George Dolphin 1980-87, Jono Burris 2002-14*, Tom
Penny 1979-89, Scott Doty 2002-13, Joel Huzzey 2007-11
Defenders
Graham West 1980-2012, Mick Evans 1974-83, Brian Harding 1976-82,
Peter Noulton 1974-82, Tim Richardson 1999-2008, Dave Gunter 2006-09
Goalkeepers
Jim Shepherd 1974-85
Tristan Evans 2006-14
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