NELSON Bay Football Club is set for a bumper season in the Newcastle Hunter Macquarie Inter District junior and senior competitions.
Established for over 50 years, the 2025 season shapes as the biggest in the club’s proud history with a record number of player registrations across the grades.
In a massive fillip for the Port Stephens-based club, more than 720 players have signed up to play for the Bay across 62 teams, which represents a five per cent growth on last season.
Encouraging results in the early rounds have left club officials confident of a strong finals push once again by the Bay’s junior and senior teams in their various age divisions.
Nelson Bay FC president Todd Giles told News Of The Area that an early season highlight was the opportunity for four of the club’s junior teams to attend the Newcastle Jets’ final home A League fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Nelson Bay FC juniors participated in on-field half time activities in front of a boisterous local crowd.
“The opportunity for the juniors to step foot on the same turf as their Jets idols was one that the players won’t quickly forget,” revealed president Giles.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the juniors out on the field at the Jets game and at all of the fields on weekends, makes all of the long volunteer hours in running a sports club worth it,” said Todd.
“The memory of them running around on the field and scoring a goal in front of the thousands of fans is one that I’m sure will drive their development and enjoyment of the game further.”
For the first time, Nelson Bay FC is offering a free eight week Football 4 All program during Term 2.
Football 4 All is an all-inclusive sport, catering for males and females of all ages and importantly, of all abilities – including those with special needs.
The program offers an opportunity for players to enjoy participation in a fun, safe and less competitive football environment focusing on participation through physical activity, player interaction, activities and the social enjoyment of the game.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this program for those members of the community who may have never had an opportunity to participate in the world game in a team environment.
“Due to the support from our community/business partners we are able to offer this program for free.”
The program runs on Thursday afternoons at Tomaree Sports Complex from 5pm to 6pm and there are still a few weeks left in the club’s first offering.
Any interested community members can contact Nelson Bay FC’s Football4All coordinator Natalie on 0439846680 to discuss your individual requirements.
The task of supporting so many players and members couldn’t be possible without the support of the local business community.
Nelson Bay FC has secured a record level of sponsorship including the extension of major sponsor The Salamander Hotel, which has enabled the club to continue to provide investment in coach, committee and player development and the procurement of three sets of portable full-size competition goals.
The club secured promotion to Zone League 2 following the championship title in 2024 and after nine matches the first grade squad sits in third place buoyed by a 6-1 win over Minmi.
Head Coach Shaun Shelley is confident in the squad’s ability to continue its winning ways.
“We’ve been fortunate to have only had one game re-scheduled due to the big wet and the ability to play week-in, week-out allows us to continue with our momentum,” Shelley said.
“The way the players have accepted the challenge of playing in the higher grade has been great to see and I’m confident we can continue to push for a finals berth this season.”
Tough fixtures in coming weeks against Southern United, Croudace Bay and Mayfield United will shape the team’s path for the remainder of the season.
By Chris KARAS
