Newcastle City celebrates its 130th year
By Tara Waniganayaka
Five-time premiership winners Newcastle City hope to kick off their 130th birthday celebrations tomorrow with a win when they take to the field in Round 1 of the 2013 Black Diamond AFL Cup.
The feat may not be easy – the Blues are up against reigning premiers and back-to-back favourites Terrigal Avoca, and are still hurting from last year’s shock late season exit after claiming the Minor Premiership then losing both finals.
Terrigal was also the team to end the Blues’ stream of four consecutive partnerships.
While the team will continue to rely upon the experience of captain Luke “Bottles” Rawnsley and star forward Courtney Knight, the loss of 2012 Elliott Davey Medal winner Anthony Stewart due to injury will hit hard.
However, the appointment of new coach Craig “Hewy” Hewat is sure to provide a new lease of life to the team, with new recruit Andrew Wilmott also set to continue his impressive pre-season performance.
Newcastle City will be officially celebrating their 130th birthday on June 22nd, coinciding with their round 11 clash with Cardiff. Established in 1883, the Newcastle City club is one of the oldest, largest and most progressive AFL clubs in the Hunter region.
While popular and successful, the BDAFL is a relatively new competition, emerging in 2000 from its parent Newcastle and Central Coast Leagues.
The strength of the league is now on par with the strongest in the state, with the Black Diamond winning the State Regional Championships in 2006.
This year the Premiership division will consist of seven teams, including Cardiff, Killarney Vale, Lake Macquarie, Singleton and Warners Bay.
The Round 1 game will take place at 2pm at the Hylton Moore Oval in East Gosford.
Image from sportingpulse.com.au
