The Entrance Bateau Bay BLUES

The Entrance Bateau Bay BLUES, as they are now known, came into being in the year 1983. At that time the Bateau Bay AFC consisted of three grades of senior football being, Seniors, Reserves and Under 17 – all competing within the Central Coast Australian Football League. The home ground being based at Pat Morley Oval along The Entrance Road, between Bateau Bay and Forresters Beach on the New South Wales Central Coast.

The controlling body at the time then decided that all teams competing with the competition would only be allowed to do so if they were to field junior teams in the Under 12, 15, and 17 age divisions. Not to do so would incur the loss of competition points for the senior team – whom at that time had competed in the last three Grand Finals. So it came to pass that the ‘Baby Blues’ were born and fell under the Bateau Bay Australian Football Club banner

Unfortunately at the season end of 1998, due to circumstances beyond the Club’s control, we were forced to leave our home due to environmental concerns of the local council and forced to seek another home.  After a season playing in a paddock (now the Mingara Leisure Centre, Tumbi Umbi), this ultimately led to the demise of our senior teams due to the lack of training and playing facilities.  However, it was decided by a few ‘bluebloods’ that a concerted effort should be placed in the direction of the junior players that had stood by the Club no matter what – and enjoyed playing football together anywhere at anytime!!!

Hence, the following year Eastern Road Oval at Bateau Bay was offered to the Club, as a temporary home as no other alternative could be found by either the local authorities or the Club.  Although the ground size and amenities offered a little bit to be desired (and still do), it became the home of the newly-named ‘THE ENTRANCE BATEAU BAY AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL CLUB’.  The club would remain there until the end of the 2010 season.

2011 marked a return to Pat Morley Oval, renamed Bateau Bay Sporting Facility, with a newly constructed ground, change rooms, canteen and night lighting. 2012 was another landmark year for the club, with the construction of our fantastic new Clubhouse, adjacent to the amenities building.  A joint project between The Blues, AFL NSW/ACT and Central Coast Softball, as well as a NSW Government Community Building Partnership grant, the clubhouse provides a superb indoor training and meeting facility.  We would like to thank all past and present parents and volunteers whose contributions over the years (through BBQs, canteens, fund raising etc) helped the club to amass enough funds to make this dream become a reality. The facilities are second to none, with the ground now being the unofficial ‘home’ of AFL on the Central Coast, playing host to rep games, school competitions, Black Diamond matches and AFL 9s.

2013 was an exciting year as we fielded an all-girls team for the first time, and to cap it off the girls won the Grand Final. In a memorable September weekend, our Under 13s and Under 17s also won their respective premierships.

We currently have an extremely strong Auskick representation within the Club, and have been awarded the top Auskick Club on the Central Coast for the past two years. It is because of this strong base that we know the Club has a excellent future ahead.

The Club prides itself on the enjoyment of all participating players, parents and spectators through the game of Australian Rules Football. The atmosphere of the Club is one of informality and social interaction between players, coaches and parents alike. If you would like any further information about our Club, then please do not hesitate to contact a committee member or, if you happen to be in the neighbourhood please drop in, say ‘hello’ and have a kick around with us!!

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