Hawkesbury City flapping their wings
One of the most successful clubs in the National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition in 2018 was undoubtedly Hawkesbury City, who play their football out at David Bertenshaw Field at Richmond.
In recent season, the Hawks have battled along wholeheartedly, and often fallen short of the final mark, missing the finals, and often without silverware to reflect their efforts.
But there was something in the water out Richmond way this season, with Hawkesbury City finishing as runners up in the 26 game competition proper, winning 16 and drawing 6 to end up on a healthy total of 54 points.
Furthermore, Hawkesbury City were the only side in the competition to end the season undefeated on their home patch – winning 9 and drawing 3 of the 12 matches played at Richmond.
FNSW spent some time with their evergreen goal keeper and captain, Daniel Schwarzer, one of the league’s best shot stoppers, to find out some of the reasons that contributed to their best campaign in recent seasons.
Like many others who don the Hawkesbury shirt, Daniel Schwarzer played his junior football locally, starting out at Richmond RSL, before moving to play representative football at Marconi. Schwarzer’s senior career saw him play at Hajduk Wanderers, Penrith United, and Wollongong United, before joining Hawkesbury City five years ago, playing the last two as skipper.
FNSW: What have been the reasons for the club’s success this season?
DANIEL SCHWARZER: We’ve had a good mix of youth and experience, with some players having been here a few years and fine tuning their game, and the youngsters we have recruited have been of real quality, and out to impress.
FNSW: What are some of the challenges the club has faced in recent seasons?
DS: We haven’t been the easiest place to get to in the past! Games aren’t too bad, but trying to get to training whilst stuck in traffic isn’t appealing to anyone, but all that has changed with infrastructure making it easier to get to, as well as a growing local population.
FNSW: The First Grade squad has had a real South American flavour in recent seasons, signing a few Uruguayans. What impact has this had on the club, and the locals.
DS: Our brand of football has evolved over the years, and the imports talk to the brand we try to play, and can often complement our style, making it a good effective mix. Playing a better quality of football has attracted bigger crowds to our home games, especially, and that has helped the team lift when we needed to – being undefeated at home this year is testament to that.
FNSW: Your coach, Dean Bertenshaw, was recently named the NPL 3 NSW Men’s ‘Coach of the Year’ – tell us a bit about him.
DS: Deano is a great man manager, and knows how to get the best out of his players. He is good at reading a game, and able to change it tactically, and get a result before it slips away.
FNSW: Who are some of the influential people that make Hawkesbury City such a fantastic club?
DS: There are really too many to mention here. Everyone who is associated with the club ends up having their partners and family join in and help where they can – it is a cliché, but it really is and feels like one big family.
David Bertenshaw Field is named after David Bertenshaw – one of the club’s pioneers, and someone who during the week and on match day can be found doing anything and everything, from marking the fields, to serving in the canteen, to getting the training gear ready.
During the season there was, in fact, talk about one of the greatest Socceroos of all time, keeper Mark Schwarzer, making a guest appearance or two at Hawkesbury City……but rumour has it Mark wasn’t too keen on playing second fiddle to his brother, Daniel!
As well as finishing second in the 1st Grade competition proper and getting to within 90 minutes of the Grand Final, Hawkesbury City finished a very creditable third in the Club Championship.
In addition, the U20s finished the season in fourth position, and also got to within 90 minutes of a Grand Final, whilst the U18s ended the season in third spot, before winning the Championship, beating St George City FA 5-4 in a penalty shootout in the Grand Final.
Over the years, they have been building a strong foundation at Hawkesbury City, and given their recent season of success throughout the senior and junior clubs, you can safely say the Hawks are well and truly flapping their wings!
