The Forrestdale Junior Football Club (JFC) celebrated four decades of club history on the weekend where they hosted home games and invited previous members to share in the memories.
Previously known as the Kangaroos, the Forrestdale JFC became Falcons in 2019 after a short hiatus to align with the senior club and become more cohesive.
At Sunday’s celebration, parents who played as Kangaroos for the club were in attendance with their children who now play as Falcons.
Former club president and active member Sarah Hazel said it was great to see previous players enjoy the heritage day.
“When people do come to a club like ours, you do have dads who were in the junior club and mums who were in the junior club now coaching or watching their kids in this junior club,” she said.
“There were parents sitting in a clubhouse with their children that they themselves sat in as kids or sitting next to an oval they sat next to and played on as kids.
“It’s about bringing kids back to the club that was home for them and so welcoming. It’s letting kids experience junior football the way their parents got to experience it when they were kids.”
The Falcons wore special, custom-made jerseys which paid homage to 40 years of history, combining the club’s iconic red and white colours with a kangaroo and falcon image facing off.
In addition to the standard fixtured games, current youth players faced off against parents and community members who were ex-players for the Kangaroos and the Falcons.
Longtime club member and volunteer Diana Cook said the community has been vital in ensuring the club’s anniversary celebration went smoothly.
“It’s not just myself and Sarah who are passionate about the club,” she said.
“We have a really good community and they’re all passionate too.
“We’ve got new people on board and they seem to be doing their job terrifically, and we just hope the young people who have come on board will continue on and keep the club and its history going.
“Everyone is passionate and everyone loves our club.”
