MEDOWIE Football Club can reflect on a bumper 2025 season on the Newcastle Football scene.
The established Port Stephens club reaffirmed its status as a power base in the junior and senior interdistrict competitions with 13 Bumblebees teams figuring in the end-of-season finals.
In a meritorious achievement, three Medowie teams – the Under 12 Boys B Grade, Under 13/1 Boys A Grade and All Age Men E Grade outfits – collected minor premiership and Grand Final championship doubles to showcase the club’s depth of talent.
Jaye Walker’s powerful Under 14/1 Boys A Grade line up finished undefeated minor premiers and later etched their names in the record books as the first Medowie side to bring home a Northern NSW Football Champion of Champions trophy.
In a huge feat, the young Bumblebees created history when they toppled their Port Stephens stablemates Nelson Bay FC in a thrilling penalty shootout to capture the Under 14s crown.
Under the guidance of coaches Zech Hanley, Bianca Pilgrim and Brooke Roberts, the Under 12/1 Medowie boys side were crowned B Grade minor premiers before sinking Maitland Magpies 4-0 in a knockout semi-final and the Greta Branxton Wildcats 2-0 in the Grand Final championship decider.
Sam Ross and Brad Hunt’s all conquering Under 13/1 A Grade Bumblebees underlined their supremacy by trouncing Merewether 5-0 in a semi-final and achieving a trophy double with a 2-0 Grand Final victory over Kahibah FC.
Medowie’s skilful All Age Mens squad lifted the Friday night E Grade minor premiership and championship double to cap a successful campaign.
Coached by Matt Morris and Andrew Smallwood, the team eliminated South Maitland 2-0 in a knockout semi-final before toppling Seaham Bowthorne 6-5 in a Grand Final penalty shootout after both sides finished 2-all after extra time.
Three Medowie teams finished runners-up in Grand Final championship deciders.
Adelaide Morvell’s Under 12 Girls squad turned in strong performances in the C Grade division and advanced to the Grand Final with a spirited 2-0 triumph over Southern Lakes United.
Swansea FC edged out the Bumblebees 3-2 to claim the honours.
Matt and Ebony Morris guided the Medowie Over 30s women’s team to the B Grade Grand Final after sinking Garden Suburbs 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
In an absorbing tussle, the Seaham Bowthorne Swans prevailed with a 2-1 victory to secure the championship title.
The pair also piloted Medowie’s Zone League 3 men’s first grade and Over 35s Friday Night B Grade teams to this year’s finals and along with daughter Billie-Ann and sons Tyson and Kayden, were the inaugural recipients of Newcastle Football’s prestigious Henry Family Award.
Just as impressive were the Medowie Over 35s (2) team coached by Ian Billett that won the Newcastle Football Zone Friday Night E Grade minor premiership.
The Bumblebees downed Muswellbrook Eagles 1-0 in their knockout semi final – only to taste a 3-2 defeat against the Tenambit Sharks in the Grand Final decider.
Bradley Marshall coached Medowie’s All Age Mens (3) Friday Night D Grade side to a finals appearance along with Rohan McDonald and James Armstrong, who steered the Bumblebees to the Under 13/2 B Grade play offs where they lost 3-1 to Lochinvar Rovers.
Jen and Luke Miller’s Under 14 Girls were beaten 2-0 by Edgeworth in the C Grade finals while Kevin Griffith and Adelaide Morvell’s Under 16/1 team bowed out of the finals after a 1-0 loss to Dudley Redhead.
By Chris KARAS
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