Cooks River Titans continuing to kick goals in 2020
In late 2014 Cooks River Titans Club President Nick Kambounias received an email from the Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association offering a rare opportunity to start a brand new club.
The club was to be based at Gough Whitlam Park in Earlwood but right on the border of Undercliffe, Tempe, Marrickville and the rapidly growing suburb of Wolli Creek.
Nick had experience at both state federation and local association level both as a player and administrator but this was a completely new challenge of immense proportions. Despite the nervousness of the task ahead, Nick did not hesitate with an emphatic positive reply.
Since that fateful day, within a few weeks a new committee was created, an incorporated organisation was registered, club colours chosen, a logo designed, fields booked, gear and apparel sourced, club constitution drafted, policies and procedures documented, relationships with all levels of government formed, partnerships with some local schools established and marketing strategies developed.
The committee at the Cooks River Titans had an initial goal of having 2 junior teams and 2 senior teams in their first year. After all they were wedged between three of the Associations biggest and most historic clubs namely Marrickville FC, Hurlstone Park Wanderers FC and Earlwood Wanderers FC.
Instead, much to the surprise of all involved, the Titans amassed 10 junior teams and 10 senior teams ranging from Under6s to Over35s with a total registration number of 282 players.
Since then, Club registrants have grown year on year except for this year due to COVID-19. The Club was projecting to hit over 410 players but some players withdrew for various reasons causing the eventual collapse of 5 teams.
In what was arguably the Club’s toughest year to date in its short history, the young and vibrant committee at the Club worked tireless to ensure the teams which remained were well serviced while at the same time were well aware of and abiding by the new health restrictions put in place at training and match days.
This seemed to have paid off as most teams enjoyed a positive year. The Titans managed to win 4 premierships and had the format included a finals series, the Club would have had an additional 7 teams participating in semi finals.
At the CDSFA’s recent AGM in November, Chairman Armando Gardiman AM made a couple of special announcements – one being the winner of the Crystal Cup Club Championship which given to the Club which on average had the best performing teams across all competitive age groups from Under12s and above.
Presentation of such awards are typically reserved for the end of season Volunteers Recognition Dinner but again due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was cancelled.
It did not mean the Cup would not be awarded and thankfully so as the recipient of the 2020 Crystal Cup was the Cooks River Titans Football Club.
This was the fourth year running where a club had won the Cup for the first time.
A remarkable achievement for such a young club in what was a difficult and delayed season which at one point looked like never starting.
