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 12/1 B Grade, Under 13/1 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 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 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’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.
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 2-2 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.
The Medowie Over 30s women’s team made 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.
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.
Under 14 Girls were beaten 2-0 by Edgeworth in the C Grade finals while the Under 16/1 team bowed out of the finals after a 1-0 loss to Dudley Redhead.
Medowie’s Zone League 3 men’s first grade and Over 35s Friday Night B Grade teams also made the finals.
An outstanding year for the Medowie Bumblebees club.
By Chris KARAS
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