Epping Eastwood Tigers FC Celebrate 70-year milestone

Over a hundred local football players past and present gathered in Parramatta on Saturday to mark 70 years since North West Sydney Football Association side Epping Eastwood “Tigers” Football Club was formed, which triggered the birth of community football in the district.

In a room adorned in black and gold, football legends Robbie Slater the former Socceroo, and Leigh Wardell who played in the first ever Matildas team were joined by Federal Member of Bennelong Jerome Laxale and Lord Mayor of Parramatta Donna Davis, and Karen Waud from North West Sydney Football Association, to mark the occasion.

Epping Eastwood Tigers FC Club President Chris Salmon said 70 years on from the first ever games being played locally, the legacy of the Tigers remained about bringing people together, creating a sense of community and enjoying the great game of football.

“As one of the founding Clubs in Sydney’s North West it is an honor to still be growing men’s and women’s football and testament to the hundreds of volunteers who keep community sport alive,” Mr Salmon said.

“We are the Family Club and very proud to have introduced thousands of kids to the great game of football over this time, many still playing for the Club 10, 20, 30 and even 40 years later.  We want to still be doing this another 70 years from now.

“The next 20 years will be focused on growing women’s football back to where it was in the 1980’s when the Tigers were the first Club in the district to introduce women’s teams.

“Being recognised as one of the Legacy 23 Clubs in North West Sydney Football was a great privilege for the club and we are proud to be an active force in growing womens football and meeting the needs of a changing demographic,” Mr Salmon said.

The Special Guest speeches were a highlight of the night including an animated entertaining guest spot by Robbie Slater and some really encouraging words from ex-President Ian Kendall, the Mayor and attending local member – as well as a special video message from NSW Premier and Local MP Dominic Perrottet.

The night was a great success and a really fitting way to celebrate such an important milestone and a season of football post-COVID. A number of 20 Year Service Medals were awarded during the night as well as a Life Member acknowledgment.as well as perpetual trophies.

Awards

• Ian Kendall Award (Premier League Player’s player)
  • George Anjoul
• Leigh Wardell trophy (Women’s player of the year)
  • Linda Hung
• Judy Saville Trophy (All-age men’s player of the year)
  • Jayden Saba
• Stuart Harris Trophy (Over 35-year men’s player of the year)
  • Graham Christy
• Premier League Rookie of the Year
  • Jacob Leon
• President’s Awards for service to the club
  • Phoebe Colman
  • Lorraine Hanlon-Larke
  • Ian Harris
• 20 Year Tigers
  • James McGoogan
  • Daniel McGoogan
  • Scott McGoogan
  • Hayden Doria
  • Donald Walker
  • Michael Norton