Dunbar Rovers ready for State League Football
Football NSW’s Mens State League Two will feature a new face in ambitious club Dunbar Rovers, hailing from the Eastern Suburbs as it sets sail for the 2015 competition.
Celebrating 25 years in 2015, Rovers President Peter Hennessy was delighted with the news that saw the club gain entry into Football NSW’s fourth tier elite competition for Mens.
“After a decade of success in the top flight of Eastern Suburbs Football Association (ESFA), Dunbar Rovers is ready to test itself at the higher level.
“We can now offer talented players in the Eastern Suburbs a home grown pathway for local youth and senior players to the State League level.
“We aim to reach the playoffs in both First Grade and Under 20’s and to reach State League 1 within three years with expansion into Under 16s and 18s.
“We will provide a professionally run, well coached environment for players to enjoy their football.
“We will never compromise on “The Dunbar Way”.
“The Dunbar Way” is the strong Code of Conduct that has been the cornerstone of the Club’s success to date.
Dunbar Rovers kicked off in the Eastern Suburbs Football Association in 1991 and now enters its 25th year with 25 teams in men and women, juniors.
“Our women’s football program has developed to match the success of the All Age Men’s with Dunbar winning four out of the last five ESFA Women’s Championships”, Hennessy added with great satisfaction.
Dunbar Rovers commenced the Dunbar Cambodia Charity in 2008 to use football to develop greater confidence, teamwork and hope to kids from some of poorest regions in the world.
The club’s co-founder and Honorary President Quintin Freeman was proud of what the club had achieved via the Dunbar Cambodia Charity.
“Dunbar Cambodia reflects the Club’s pride in doing things the right way on and off the field.
“This community contribution has built an enviable level of respect amongst our players, sponsors, officials and other members of local football”.
Dunbar Rovers is currently buzzing about its new adventure and will be making a series of exciting announcements in relation to administrative and coaching appointments for State League, home ground, as well as the dates and venue for upcoming selection trials over the coming weeks.
The Dunbar Rovers Story
Dunbar Rovers Football Club’s origins can be traced back to a group of ex-pats who socialised at the then Old Dunbar Hotel in Paddington.
They originally wanted to be a social rugby team, but found it easier to play football at ESFA!
The rugby influence is still visible in the unique club colours of baby blue and white quartered shirts with a pale pink collar!
Since its humble start in ESFA’s third tier, the Club has grown to a community of nearly 500 players.
In the 2014 Dunbar competed across ESFA with Men’s Premier League and Reserves, nine Men’s teams, three Women’s teams, two Men’s O35 teams, a Men’s O45 team, 50 junior players, and 100 kids at Dunbar Cambodia.
Dunbar’s spiritual home is the picturesque Reg Bartley Oval at Rushcutters Bay, but its heartland now covers the northern half of the Eastern Suburbs, from the Harbour Bridge, south to Alexandria (where the club trains), and east to the beaches. There is an eclectic mix of Australians and overseas senior players at the Club with 22 different nationalities!
The Club has become a source of great friendships and business contacts. The social side is supported by a lead sponsor, The Royal Hotel in Paddington. The end of season Presentation Night is always spectacular and consistently attracts acclaim from many notables in Australian football.
Dunbar is independently operated and run by a dedicated organising committee supported by the team managers and coaches who have achieved the fine art of running an amateur club very professionally.
The Club is funded by a combination of players’ registrations fees and generous financial support from the Club’s sponsors.
Visit www.dunbarrovers.com or search for "Dunbar Rovers" on Facebook and Twitter for more information about the club.
