In 1966, a group of parents with enough interest in the youth of the district, held a meeting at the Watsonia RSL hall and formed the Watsonia Football Club under the guidance of Footscray and Collingwood star Harvey Stevens.
Two teams were fielded with an Under 13 team that year becoming Premiers in the Greensborough Midget League and an Under 15 team taking the flag in the Preston and Reservoir League.
With lots of work from many more keen locals, Watsonia began playing on A.K. Lines Reserve in 1967. This year saw four teams to be fielded in the Panton Hill League. The Senior and Reserve sides both finished sixth, the Under 15's runners-up and the Under 13's Premiers.
Initially, an old tin shed was purchased from Watsonia Motors to act as changerooms. But when neighbours complained about boys changing outside the tiny shed something more permanent was needed. Funny, these days we still have neighbours that like to "keep an eye" on us !
Big things happened in 1968 when committee member and builder Gerald Browne built the first Clubrooms, a true home. On the field however, fortunes were few with only the Under 13's succeeding with another flag !
Season 1969 started with Watsonia now in the D.V.F.L. and coached by Barry Smart who came from Sandringham. A season of frustration was ahead and, despite every endeavour, Watsonia recorded no wins that year. The Junior teams kept on their winning way with the Watsonia South Under 13's taking another flag.
May 30, 1970, Watsonia 16.16.112 defeated Lalor 9.12.66
At last it had happened ! Our first win in the D.V.F.L. and the first of six for the season was a great boost to morale for the players and supporters alike. The Reserves too had six wins for the season.
The foundation of the Watsonia Football Club needs to be credited to the first committee which consisted of Neil McGovern-President, Harvey Stevens-Secretary, Michael Walsh (dec.)-Treasurer with Jack Bowman, Willy Flores, Gerald Browne & Bill Cope.
Nearly 50 years later the Watsonia Football Club is proud to be known as WATSONIA SPORTING CLUB and still holding true to its founding members values of commuinity spirit. In its most recent years the Watsonia Sporting Club has seen the reformation of junior sides, also introducing Netball and Dart sides. In 2011 Watsonia Sporting club will be hosting Auskick at its home ground on friday evenings.
Watsonia Sporting Club home ground and pavillion is located at AK LINES Reserve Watsonia.
PICS: One of the two lanterns used to light the "old tin shed" and the 1966-67 Midget League Premiership Cup
