Club of the week: Sydney Uni

The Sydney University Australian National Football Club (SUANFC), run entirely by its members, is said to be the oldest Australian Rules Club in NSW and the fourth oldest in Australia.

It was founded in 1865 as a spin-off of the Sydney University Football Club, Australia’s oldest rugby union club, which experimented with Australian Rules in its early years.

Sydney University played its first official game in 1887 and the Students have participated in Sydney football’s elite competition for a total of 28 seasons, in four separate stints.

Currently, the men’s club has six teams competing in the Sydney Football Association while the women’s club is continuing to grow with two teams competing in the Sydney Women’s AFL competition.

The University fields a side in the Eastern States’ second-tier competition, the NEAFL (Seniors) as well as AFL Sydney Premier Division (Reserves), Division 2 (Blues), Division 3 (Reds), Division 5 (Golds) and Under-18s Premier Division (Colts).

As a part of the Sydney Football League, Sydney’s elite competition, in the 10 seasons from 1948 to 1957, Sydney University managed the ignominious ‘achievement’ of four wooden spoons and two second-last finishes, with seventh place out of 10 clubs in 1954 its best return.

The next stint between 1962 and 1968 was scarcely any more auspicious, but the Students’ involvement in the Sydney District Football Association between 1971 and 1987 served to bring their simmering potential to the boil.

There were Grand Final appearances in 1971 and 1977 but Sydney University’s first SFL Premiership arrived in 1981.

After consecutive flags in 1986 and 1987 the side was ready for a third stab at the SFL, but initially at least its performances only produced a sense of déjà vu. After a wooden spoon in 1988, however, the Students began to make steady progress.

By 1992, under the expert guidance of former Sydney Swans stalwart Rod Carter, the Students were ready to take a serious tilt at the flag, and they took out the Premiership by 65 points

After dropping to fifth in 1993, the side nose-dived to 8th position (out of 10) in 1994, before returning to the somewhat less intense – and, in premiership terms, significantly more lucrative – environment of the Sydney Football Association.

After taking a couple of season to find their feet, the Students contested every grand final bar one between 1997 and 2001, although were only ultimately able to secure two Premierships.

In 2007, the Students were re-admitted to the top flight of the Sydney AFL after an absence of 12 years. Under coach Daniel Archer, the club finished with a respectable five wins to finish in eighth spot on the ladder. The club was to take bigger strides in 2008, just missing out on a finals berth on the last day of the season after a loss to North Shore.

The 2009 season saw a change of coach but again, the Students fell agonisingly short of a finals berth after a string of close losses throughout the season. However, there was success at an individual level for two players with Tom Young winning the Sydney AFL Rising Star award and Brydon Coles taking home the coveted Phelan Medal for the Best & Fairest player in the Sydney AFL Premier Division.

2010 was the year that the Students showed they belonged amongst the elite clubs in the Sydney AFL, taking out the minor premiership following a 14-game winning streak to end the home and away rounds. The club qualified for its maiden Sydney AFL Premier Division Grand Final since re-entry into the top flight with a hard fought win against Western Suburbs.

2011 saw Uni consolidate on their performances of the previous year, with the Senior team falling one game short of qualifying for a second consecutive Grand Final. However, the season was a success across all grades with all six teams at the club qualifying for finals action.

Another highlight for the year was former Uni star Tom Young being selected to make his debut for Collingwood, thereby becoming the first Sydney University player to reach the AFL.

SUANFC accepted an invitation to the newly-created NEAFL competition in 2012 which now sees the proud club pitted against opponents from NSW, Queensland, ACT and the Northern Territory week-in-week-out.

Ryan Silvester is co-captain of the 2013 Sydney University NEAFL side and relishes the opportunity to play at an elite level in Sydney.

“I arrived at the club at the start of the 2012 season, which was to be the club’s first year in the NEAFL competition,” he said.

“2012 was very much a learning year for the NEAFL team and the club in general.

“We realised we needed to improve in all areas if we were to compete in a national second-tier competition.

“2013 is going to be a really exciting year for the club. NEAFL Senior Coach Daniel Gilmore has created a really positive environment amongst the senior squad and we are looking forward to the challenge.

“Off field, the culture at SUANFC is like no other.

“The club has a proud history and it is always great to see some of the ‘old boys’ down at games still supporting the club.”

To find out more or get involved, visit http://www.suanfc.com/

Each week of the season we’ll be profiling an AFL club in Sydney, from junior clubs to senior clubs and all in between. If you want to be involved, get in touch with us on 02 8333 8000 or email info@aflnswact.com.au