Griffith's footballing pedigree

The two major clubs of Griffith - Yoogali SC, and Hanwood FC, which were both formed in the 1950's - united as one to play within the ACT Premier League through the 1970's, culminating in a league and cup double in 1971, before being voted out of the competition after the 1972 season. The Canberra Times at the time described the the decision:

There had been a feeling growing among Canberra clubs that the way in which Queanbeyan and Griffith lost their places, on a count-out system at the annual meeting.

It is felt that Griffith especially was dealt with harshly at the meeting. The secretary of the ACTSF, Mr Hal Leslie, has told Griffith, in a telegram, to be represented at the council meeting. It was not represented at the annual meeting.
Click to expand...

In 1981 and 1982, Hanwood, Yoogali, Wagga and Albury all competed in what was known as the NSW Southern League, alongside other Canberra clubs. The full list of clubs in the final season in 1982 were:
NSW Southern League
Both seasons
  • Hanwood FC
  • Yoogali SC
  • Wagga City (unknown)
  • Croatia Deakin (Canberra Croatia)
  • Makedonia Queanbeyan (Queanbeyan City)
  • Downer Olympic (Canberra Olympic)
  • Albury Hotspurs

1981 only
  • West Woden Juventus (Gungahlin United)
  • Belconnen United
  • Kooringal Lions (unknown)
  • Wagga United
  • Goulburn Workers
  • Cootamundra
1982 only
  • Kambah United (Tuggeranong United)

In 1983, the league disbanded, and the ACT Premier League was split into two divisions:

CITY
  • Kambah United (Tuggeranong United)
  • Canberra United (appears to be Burns FC based off Capital Football's current records)
  • Narrabundah
  • Concordia (Canberra City)
  • Queanbeyan City
  • Luso (folded in 1985)
  • ANU
COUNTRY
  • West Woden Juventus (Gungahlin United)
  • Downer Olympic (Canberra Olympic)
  • Croatia Deakin (Canberra Croatia)
  • Belconnen United
  • Yoogali SC
  • Weston Creek
  • Hanwood FC
  • BSC Albury (unknown if still Albury Hotspurs)
By 1986, both clubs had left Canberra's competitions, and over time, Hanwood and Yoogali eventually found a home competing in Wagga Wagga, and then in Victoria's North Eastern Soccer League (primarily based in the Goulburn Valley), before both were removed prior to the 2008 season, eventually returning to the Griffith and District Football Association league.

From 2008-2010, Griffith football had a thriving local competition, with Leeton, West Griffith, East and North Griffith (initially separate, but merging into Griffith City FC during this period), Yenda, Yoogali SC, Yoogali FC, Hanwood FC and Hanwood Juniors all competing in the first grade league, and further regional teams such as Hillston and Hay throwing themselves into the mix in the reserve grade competition.

In the early 2010's - hungry for some stronger competition from outside the region, the Regional Premier League was formed in a new alliance with Goulburn Valley clubs, but this quickly fell down the wayside as competing priorities plagued the competition. Not to mention, any efforts to compete in State or Waratah Cups were met with last-minute forfeits by travelling teams from Sydney. Today Hanwood, Yoogali FC, Leeton and Griffith City compete in the Wagga Wagga competition, with West Griffith, Yenda, Griffith City and two Yoogali SC teams competing in the Griffith competition.

Following this, the Griffith FA put together the Riverina Rhinos - a representative side - to compete in the NSW Youth League from 2014. After a few years, due to concessions granted to the team such as additional home games, the teams were removed from the NSW competition, but added a senior team to apply for a position in the Capital Football National Premier League, bringing us full circle back to the beginning of this article.
Last edited by a moderator: