History
The Gawler Soccer & Sports Club was admitted to the Elizabeth & Districts Junior Soccer Association in 1978 as the Evanston Junior Soccer Club (EJSC). Seven teams were entered that year. The Club colours were brown & gold shirts, gold shorts and socks. The home ground was originally Argana Park, Elizabeth Downs with training at Evanston Primary School and Gawler High School.
Sam Debono, one of the founding members of the Club, became the Club's first Life Member in 1985; in 1998 Sam received a special award for twenty years service to the Club.
The EJSC became incorporated in 1981. After successful discussions with the Gawler Soccer Club, a senior men's club in the SAASL, both clubs amalgamated in 1982 forming the Gawler Soccer & Sports Club Inc (GSSC). However, this partnership was short lived and was dissolved in 1984, with the juniors retaining the GSSC name. The following year the GSSC moved to Karbeethan Reserve, Evanston Gardens and this became the Club's home ground.
In 1988 the GSSC entered men's teams (A/B grades) in the SAASL (Division 9). Floodlights were installed in 1989 and Clubrooms were completed a year later. That year (1990) also saw Helen Agius become the Club's first woman President.
1992 the Club fielded its first Women's team in the SAWSA. Quite a few of these players continue to be selected each year to represent the State.
The Club adopted the nickname 'Gawler Eagles' in 1993 and commenced the first of several discussions with Gawler Council regarding change rooms.
The junior Club colours were changed to gold & blue shirts with blue shorts and socks in 1994 to match the seniors due to the unavailability of Brown/Gold shirts. That year Kristy Moore from the women's team was selected for the Australian soccer squad.
The first of many soccer skills schools was introduced in 1995.
The Karbeethan Reserve Steering Committee, a joint venture of the GSSC, Riverside Cricket Club, Gawler Hockey Club and the Gawler Softball Association was formed in 1996 to put further pressure on the Gawler Council to upgrade the existing clubrooms at the Reserve.
1999 saw the GSSC enter a team (Colts) for the first time in the SA Soccer Federation Junior Premier League. Also that year Trinity College 'amalgamated' with the GSSC.
The Club entered the computer age in 2000 with its own Website and email address. The Club also hosted the inaugural South Australian Will Coerver Coaching Clinic, an internationally acclaimed coaching method for children. This year also saw Terry Smith, who played his formative years at Gawler in the juniors up to Under-13, selected for the Joeys (Under-17) World Cup Squad.
Club jackets, with sponsors for individual teams were introduced in 2001. These very distinctive jackets established our identity within the community. The Club in conjunction with the hockey club and softball association received a grant of $95,000 from the Department of Recreation & Sport towards the building of new clubrooms.
2002 marked the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Club and will go down in history as the Club's most successful year: three Junior League Championships (two undefeated), two Challenge Cup Winners (three finalists) and the Senior Men being promoted to Division 4. Club caps and a commemorative port were introduced to mark the 25th Anniversary.
In 2003 the Club again entered teams in the SASF competition (U-13 & U-14) with the U-13 coming Runners Up. The Karbeethan Sporting Association was formed to manage the administration of the reserve when the new facilities are completed.
In October 2004, the new Clubrooms with change rooms were opened. The Club also received a grant from the Department of Recreation & Sport to install floodlights on the main pitch. The Men's A grade, after coming Runnerrs' Up for many years, finally won their first League trophy since their formation in 1988 (Division 4).
The Club received another grant from the Department of Recreation & Sport in 2005 to install further floodlights on the Angle Road pitch. In October, the Club hosted the United Clubs SA (formerly SASF) Junior State Championships and from the embarrassingly infinite number of plaudits that were received, the event was a huge success. The Club certainly 'raised the bar' for any future hosts of this event. The following month the Club hosted the Refugee Soccer Carnival where many teams of various ethnic origins took part in another successful event.
2006 saw the Club enter teams in the Football Federation SA State League, with the main pitch now being fenced. This meant the Club was now represented in 5 soccer competitions: Elizabeth & Districts Junior Soccer Association, SA Amateur Soccer League, SA Women's Soccer Association, Football Federation SA and the FFSA Junior Premier League.
2007 saw the Club enter two girls only teams in the SAWSA Junior competition. Work began on erecting a player's race and renovations to the old Clubrooms to convert into a referee's room were also started. With Labor winning the federal election the Club received a $200,000 grant to upgrade the lighting to enable night games to be played. The Club finally became a licensed venue in 2008.
2009 The Women's FFSA side almost did the double winning the Division 1 league and coming runners-up in the Cup while their coach. Calvin Gilmore, was awarded the Division 1 Coach of the Year by FFSA. The Under-16 FFSA team travelled to Queensland to participate in the Gold Coast Champions Cup, an international competition featuring teams from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North and South America. The lads did the Club proud only missing out the semi-finals by 1 goal difference against larger clubs with a greater pool of players to pick from.
The next several years saw the club's fortunes flounder as it languished at the bottom end of the table. By now players numbers fell away and the club focused on the FFSA affiliation only. Despite this period of poor form on-field, the club was able to produce some remarkable talent, notably Riley McGree, Ben Warland and Lachlan Brook from its junior ranks. At the start of the 2016 season the FFSA split the State League into two divisions, Gawler placed in State League 2. This provided some respite and the club played off in its first finals campaign. Although success eluded the Eagles against Adelaide Hills it was a step in the right direction. Striker Armstrong Gaye awarded the Golden Boot was another highlight for the 2016 season. The Club's women's and girls' teams were also a shining light with the women's teams winning a flag in 2016 and runners-up in 2018 and the Under 17 girls crowned division champions in 2017.
However at the end of another disappointing season in 2017 things came to a head. Faced with massive debt and off-field issues, a new committee was formed, a new constitution adopted, a new name, "Gawler Eagles FC", replaced the old moniker, and the club's logo was updated. Earl Pudler, recently appointed senior coach by the previous committee, agreed to stay on for the rest of 2018. The Club was now focused on steadying the ship. The administration of the club was brought up to speed and the playing group was tested by the new regime. The Club finished the season in 9th place out of 12, Earl Pudler announced his departure and a number of senior players followed.
The Club was treading uncertain waters at the start of pre-season the following year and worked hard to attract players and coaching staff wanting to represent Gawler for the right reasons. Well-known soccer identity Charlie Villani was appointed senior coach. Pre-season was attended by just a handful of players at its first session. The Club worked hard to build numbers, sponsorship increased, star striker Iradi Baragomwa returned "home" and made captain and players returned to the club. Despite the challenges the playing group clicked and by mid-season Gawler found itself at the top end of the ladder. By June senior coach Charlie Villani announced his retirement citing personal reasons and assistant coach Mike Cawood took the helm steering the senior team to the finals. Remarkably the club finished in second spot on the State League 2 ladder. Its finals campaign kicked off against Adelaide Hills Hawks both home and away. Two straight losses saw the club face Adelaide Vipers in the play-off for the grand final and promotion. Despite being so close, the club suffered a 0 – 1 defeat at home and its solid season came to a close, Vipers joining Adelaide Hills in promotion to State League 1.
At the very least the club knew it was heading in the right direction. The 2020 pre-season saw an influx of players vying for a seniors spot amid renewed enthusiasm. Benny Kovadio and Zac Vannucci headed the list of inclusions. The club got off to a great start under Mike Cawood, enjoying top-of-the-table before the COVID pandemic struck and the season was put on hold for nearly three months.
Football South Australia is the governing body of soccer in the state of South Australia. It was established in 2006 under the name Football Federation South Australia (FFSA).
Adelaide City Football Club is a soccer club based in Adelaide, South Australia. The club was known historically as Juventus — the original name given to the club by its founders in Adelaide's Italian community.
The FFSA Super League was the highest state-level soccer competition in South Australia between 2006 and 2012. Prior to the 2006 season, the highest level competition in South Australia was the SASF Premier League. Due to the manifestation of a new governing body, Football Federation Australia the SASF ceased operations. Nationally, it was one grade lower than the A-League. It was conducted by the Football Federation of South Australia (FFSA), the state's governing body. Each season the bottom two Super League clubs were relegated to the FFSA Premier League. The final champions in 2012 where the Adelaide Blue Eagles.
Adelaide Olympic F.C. is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia. The club competes in the National Premier Leagues South Australia.
North Eastern MetroStars Soccer Club, commonly known as MetroStars, is an Australian semi-professional soccer club based in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1994, the club currently competes in the National Premier Leagues South Australia, with matches played at the T.K. Shutter Reserve in the north-eastern suburb of Klemzig. It has generally been a strong club and has dominated in the top division of South Australian Football.
Modbury SC, commonly known as Modbury Jets, is an Australian semi-professional soccer club based in Adelaide, South Australia. Its senior men's teams currently compete in the National Premier Leagues South Australia and senior women's team in the Women's State League. The club also fields junior teams for girls and boys. The seniors play their home matches at Smith Partners Stadium in Ridgehaven, north of Adelaide and the Juniors play at Burragah Reserve, Modbury North.
Croydon FC, formerly known as Croydon Kings, is an Australian semi-professional soccer club in Adelaide, South Australia. Croydon FC currently competes in the National Premier Leagues South Australia. They play home games at Polonia Reserve at Croydon in Adelaide's inner northern suburbs. They are one of the most successful sides in South Australian soccer. The club's ethnic background is Polish Australian and the club was founded as the Polonia Adelaide Sports Club on 16 June 1950 by Alek Cmielewski and Karol Metanomski.
Virtus Soccer Club, playing in modern times as the Northern Demons, is a soccer club from Port Pirie, South Australia. Northern Demons play in the Football Federation of South Australia (FFSA) State League. Their home ground is Byrne Park, situated on Magor Road, Port Pirie. Together with their three senior teams, the club has an Under 12,14, and 15 team competing in the Football Federation of South Australia Junior Premier League. Their cross-town rivals are the Savoy Soccer Club, formerly known as Port Pirie City, who play in the South Australian Amateur Soccer League (SAASL).
Playford City Soccer Club is a soccer club from Elizabeth, South Australia. Playford play in the FFSA State League. Their home ground is at Ramsay Park in Elizabeth, north of Adelaide.
Port Adelaide Soccer (Football) Club, also known as The Pirates, is an Australian semi-professional soccer club based in Port Adelaide, South Australia, with their home ground at Ngarrpadla (Aunty) Josie Agius Reserve in Taperoo. They compete in the South Australian National Premier Leagues State League 1, and also field women's and collegiate teams.
South Adelaide Panthers Football Club are a soccer club from the southern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. They play in the National Premier League NPL South Australia, with a home ground at the O'Sullivan Beach Sports Complex, also known as Panther Park. Panthers also field senior female teams in the Women's State League.
Adelaide Comets FC are a soccer club based in Adelaide, South Australia. The club competes in the National Premier Leagues South Australia. They are based in Adelaide's western suburb of Mile End and play home games at Santos Stadium.
Adelaide Omonia Cobras FC is an Australian semi-professional football club from Adelaide, South Australia. The Cobras currently play in the South Australian State League 1, and play home games at Weigall Oval in Adelaide's western suburb of Plympton.
Seaford Rangers are a soccer club from Seaford, South Australia. Seaford play in the South Australian State League. Their home ground is at Karingal Reserve. They have a strong support group, known as The Norseman St Elite (NSE). Famous old boys of the group include, Ryan (Ducklegs) Babbage, Davey (Foxy) Moore, Stephen Hawkins, Daniel Frayne, Steve Kovacs, Mark (Gramps) Griffins, Adam (Treeni/Head) Treen, Graham Powell, Andrew Dickinson, Brad Andrews, Ryan Hancock, Peter (Udey) Smart.
West Adelaide Soccer Club is an Australian soccer club currently playing in the South Australian NPL. Traditionally named Hellas, the club was founded by members of the Greek community of Adelaide. West Adelaide became a founding member of the National Soccer League in 1977 and a year later became the first Adelaide team to be crowned national champion when it won the 1978 National Soccer League after a 1–1 draw in the final round match with Adelaide City in the local derby.
Launceston United Soccer Club, is a semi-professional soccer club which represents the city of Launceston in the Northern Championship (Tasmania). It should not be mistaken with the fellow Launceston team, Launceston City. The club fields teams in all junior NTJSA divisions. The senior club consists of the Senior Men's Northern Championship team, Women's Super League Team, Men's Northern Championship League 1 reserve team, Men's Northern Championship Under 18's team, Northern Championship League 2 team as well as women's teams.
The Cove Football Club is a soccer club based in Adelaide, South Australia. The Cove play in the South Australian State League. The club was established in 1983 and is based at Club Cove in the Adelaide suburb of Hallett Cove in South Australia.
Vipers FC is a football club based in Woodville, South Australia. They will play in the South Australian State League 1 competition in 2023.
The Golden Grove Football Club, more commonly known as the Kookaburras, is an Australian Rules Football Club based in the north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide that was formed in 1995. The club is based at Harper's Field, located on One Tree Hill Road in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Golden Grove's senior teams compete in the Adelaide Footy League Division 2, Division 2 Reserves, Division C2, & C8 competitions. Its women's teams compete in the SAWFL Division 2, & Division 6 Reserves competitions, whilst its junior teams compete in the SANFL Juniors competition.
Stella Rigon is an Australian soccer player. She played for Adelaide United in the W-League.
