AFTER a gruelling 18 round home and away season, the Jamberoo Superoos were crowned Group 7 first grade minor premiers at the weekend – the first in 56 years they’ve done so.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Since their inception in 1913, the club has only claimed the minor-premiership seven times; 1931, 1932, 1939, 1951, 1954, 1961 and now 2017.
“While the minor-premiership wasn’t a goal for our club going into the season, it’s a achievement that we are proud of non the less,” first grade captain/coach Jono Dallas said.
“It’s great that we have been consistent enough been able to improve throughout the year and now have earned ourselves a week off while being just one win away from the grand final.”
Dallas, who has spent most of his playing career in the emerald and myrtle, can recognise how far the club has come during his involvement.
“I played all my junior football up until under 14s at Jamberoo, before spending two season with Kiama, as we didn’t have any teams in that grade,” Dallas said.
“But I returned in 2005 for under 18s, which was the first year we had both an under 18s and third grade side – which we’ve had since 1989 after dropping back from first grade.
“Then after three years in reserve grade, we made the jump into first grade in 2009, and it’s been a gradual rise since.
“The growth of the club during that time has been great and it’s a real credit to the culture we have here at the club – which I’m very proud of.
“All three men’s teams, the league tag women, the committee members, supporters and sponsors all contribute to the culture, as everyone makes an effort to socialise with one another and make the club feel like one big family.
“The culture on the field has helped three of our four teams reach finals this season too, which is amazing.”
History of when Jamberoo were minor-premiers:
1961 – defeated Nowra Warriors 7-2 in grand final.
1954 – beaten by Berry 13-0 in grand final
1951 – defeated Kiama 15-5 in final (no grand final required).
1939 – Combined Jamberoo-Albion Park was defeated 4-2 by Shellharbour in grand final. (Shellharbour’s first ever premiership).
1932 – defeated Shellharbour 21-0 in grand final.
193 – defeated Shellharbour 10-0 in final (No grand final required).
2017 – ?????
- Note that prior to 1956 a grand final was only played if the minor premier was defeated in either semi-final or final.
Historical data supplied courtesy of Group 7 historian John O’Dwyer
Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
