West Ryde Rovers FC celebrating 60 years

When Lester Waud formed the West Ryde Rovers Football Club in 1956, little did he know it would grow to become a multi-sport club with more than 2500 members.

This season the club, which plays in the Gladesville Hornsby Football Association, will celebrate its 60th birthday with generations of Rovers returning to mark the club’s incredible milestone.

In its first season, West Ryde Rovers was made up of only two teams after Mr Waud set out to create opportunities for people of the West Ryde region to participate in team sport.

With his friends by his side, Lester transformed a swampy area on the edge of the Parramatta River at Meadowbank into a field for his new club to play.

The Rovers has built on its humble beginnings to now include a netball club and cricket club with President Karen Waud, Lester’s daughter, proud of its history and family atmosphere.

“The Rovers family gets bigger every year and its success is due to the volunteers and members who hold it all together,” she said.

“We are a family club which has grown on strong supportive culture since the 1950s.

“The best part for me is watching generations of Rovers bringing their children to play just like their parents did with them when they were younger.

While the club has come a long way during its first 60 years, West Ryde Rovers has an exciting future on the horizon.

“It is a very special time for the West Ryde Rovers with the club attaining  a National Club Accreditation Scheme Level 2 rating as well as the possibility for the installation of two synthetic pitches at its Meadowbank home fields,” Rovers Secretary and Vice President Lindsay Donald said.

“No matter how big the club gets we are committed to serve our club family for many years and generations to come.”

West Ryde Rovers will mark its 60th Anniversary with a gala dinner at the Waterview Function Centre at Olympic park on June 25.

Tickets can be purchased online at westryderovers.asn.au or by calling 0401 308 204