New season backpack & jersey
New season backpack & jersey
Registrations Now Open for All Age Groups — Join the Raiders FamilyTraining Days Have Been Updated
Registrations Now Open for All Age Groups — Join the Raiders FamilyTraining Days Have Been Updated
Rockdale City Raiders SC — Est. Sydney
About
The Club
Our story, our values, and the people who make Rockdale City Raiders more than a football club.
Club History
Our Club History on its 50th Anniversary
1956
Rockdale City Raiders Football Club was formed in 1956 as Rockdale Youth Club. The first organisational meeting was held in the office of Rockdale solicitor, the late Mr Fred Bryant whose son John still conducts the legal firm of Bryant and Co at Rockdale. Mr Fred Bryant was an active member of Rockdale Rotary who had decided the area needed a youth centre and took on the project on their behalf. It is believed that he was the 1st President of Rockdale Youth Club and a trophy bearing his name still exists.
On 15/5/1956 fund-raising activities started with a request for pledges or shares that would underwrite the fund-raising activities to get the centre started. These shares were only called up in small amounts if required and were issued in £5 lots. There were 34 shareholders with a capital account potential of £170. The first call was 2/- per share.
Mr Tim McCarthy, the Deputy Mayor of Rockdale, worked closely with Mr Fred Bryant in getting the Council supporting the establishment of the youth centre. Eventually McCarthy Reserve, where our home ground is located, was named after him and apparently he became quite emotional when he was surprised with this honour.
Mr Bryant assembled a number of interested residents at his office to get the project moving. They included Mr Ken Clark, Mr Sid Tanner, Mr Doug Hillier, Stan Bryant, Reg Whiteoak and Mr Joe Palmer. The Mayor of Rockdale Mr H Jones became a patron of the Club at the time of its inception.
Service clubs got behind the project with the major contribution coming from the Rockdale Rotary Club of £400. The Apia Club £250 and the Mayoress’s fund £250 were very helpful as was the Bowling Club £142. The Lion’s Club also contributed substantially from 1965 onwards raising £631 in a raffle and later £2,909 from functions demonstrating yet again the amazing power of Lion’s to raise money. Fund-raising activities included jazz concerts, bonfire nights, lucky numbers, a ball, fetes, theatre nights and bowls days. It seems that no-one had any excuse not to be socialising. In later years, the Rockdale RSL Club would become a major sponsor and supporter of the Club.
1958
Mr Ken Clark claims responsibility for coaching the first team organised by Rockdale Youth (believed to be in 1958) being an U10s team which included his son Kenny. Ken and Mary Clark were both involved with the Club for around 4 years. Mary was involved in the Women’s Auxiliary and netball, then called basketball. Ken states that his U10s team won the premiership playing in a 10-team comp. He also states that Rockdale Youth was the only soccer club to have its own ground as the others were using Scarborough Park as their home ground.
It appears this group at least commenced the building of the brick amenities block which are still in use as the dressing rooms and toilets. After this initial enthusiastic start, the soccer club struggled and Ken Clark was forced to give up his involvement whilst studying part-time for an electrical engineering degree. It appears the club was then unable to field teams for a couple of years.
1961– 62
Around 1961–62 Mr Jim Graham, who has been described as a talented organiser, great coach and great soccer player in his own right, brought his sons, Mal & Jim and became President. Stuart Logan, who still lives in Rockdale, along with Ken Stokes, Mal Patterson, John Barnes, Prof Bill Cummings and the King family joined with Jim’s to form the new committee which restarted the club. This group effectively built the playing field on which we play today. Mal Patterson was particularly tireless in his efforts to keep the field maintained.
Stuart Logan remembers the first 2 teams were the 7’s & 8’s which included his son Peter. Initially they had just 1 set of playing shirts so Stuart’s wife Rita organised for the mothers to make another set. Rita was the 1st President of the Ladies committee and worked hard in the Canteen which, at that time, was a large tent. During this period there was discussions and some “political” pressure to merge with the newly arrived St George Police Boys Club. However the strong visionary men of the time resisted these moves and we thank them for it.
1964–65
The Club grew in strength through the 60s. In 1964–65 the Soccer club had 18 teams and the basketball (netball) had 19 teams. The land on which the Club is located stretched from Bay Street through to Ador Avenue prior to the erection of the Police Boys Club. In the early days of the Club, Presentation Nights were held at Rockdale Town Hall. Many remember Jim Graham bringing a big cake for his team table and lots of other goodies adorned the tables of the teams.
The 60’s also saw a number of club legends begin their careers including Ian Baddock, Phil Marshall, Graeme Morris, Keith Tasker, Peter Rumford, Malcolm Graham, Tony Antoniou and others. Many of these people are still involved with the club.
1970s
The 70’s was a boom time for the club with a strong committee and active Ladies group. Social activities, family days, prawn & games nights were highlights. The 1st All Age team was admitted in 1975 and while controversial at the time, has proved a key part of the ongoing success of the club. It was not until 1979 that AA football was eventually allowed on the Jim Graham Reserve after a quite dramatic meeting of the co-Op body held at the Brighton Fisherman’s club.
Following Jim Graham’s death in 1976, in recognition of his outstanding achievements, the field was renamed the J Graham Field with memorial stone placed inside the front gate. 1979 saw the club win the inaugural St George Association AA Premier League title defeating Sans Souci who had been legends in the area having held the title for 12 years.
1981
1981 saw the 8A’s became the club’s first Champion of champions winners (neither of the above feats have yet been repeated). The 80’s were a mixed period with Ian Baddock, Ron Ogilvie & Mike Tessyman sharing the Presidency while Nancy Hunt was Treasurer for much of this time.
1990s
The early 1990’s saw a rise in team numbers under new President Allen Rose and in 1990 Rockdale won the Association Gala Day March Past while in 1994 the club won the prestigious W Dobson shield for best performing smaller club. During this period Ian Baddock was instrumental in modernising the club. On the 17/11/94 it was agreed to change the name & logo to “Rockdale Raiders”.
Throughout all this period the Marshall family, particularly Don & Phil, were the backbone of the club. However even they tired and in the late 1990 the club was on the verge of a merger with the adjoining St George Police Youth Club.
2000s
Stephen Milgate sought out the club committee only to be told by Phil Marshall that he was basically looking at the committee but “could he wait a moment while Phil finished putting up the nets!” Stephen took up the challenge, became President, revitalised the club, renovated the building and for most of the 2000’s oversaw a great period in the club’s history.
When Don passed away in 2002 his ashes were buried on our home ground in three locations underneath the two penalty markers and the kickoff marker following a memorial service attended by almost all of the club including the juniors who wore their uniforms. Many parents were proud but somewhat shocked to see their children line up to help sprinkle dirt on Don’s ashes. It was one of the most moving moments in our Club history.
A special mention must go to Rockdale RSL who has been the major sponsor of the club for over 20 years. During that time they have helped with annual donations and assistance in a major renovation of the Dressing rooms.
Authored By
Stephen Milgate & Ron Ogilvie
Past Presidents and Secretaries, Rockdale City Raiders Soccer Club For and on behalf of the organising Committee of the 50th Anniversary of Rockdale Youth and Rockdale City Raiders Soccer Club
Our Values
Rockdale City Raiders has always had a long tradition of being a family club where the focus is on the development of children. Our founding values and guiding principle is well illustrated in a story told by our present Secretary Stephen Milgate.
One day when cleaning out the flooded canteen, he was cleaning out the smelly rubbish with a shovel into his open trailer when he came across a piece of paper in almost pristine condition.
It was a circular from the late and great Johnny Warren to all the Clubs in the St George district. Johnny used to play for St George Budapest. The letter was written several years before but what he read transfixed him. It was almost as if the letter had been planted for him to read, to guide him in this new endeavour of running a soccer club, something he had never done before. At the top of the page was this question: who are you running your soccer club for?
The circular pointed out that very few players will ever reach elite status in soccer for a variety of reasons. Less than 1% of players that pass through any soccer club will go on to representative honours and few from there to international honours. Therefore the great majority of players will be there for enjoyment and personal development.
The article did not denounce elite success or achievement or winning. All of these are important. Competition at a personal and team level is critical to provide the challenge that drives commitment and achievement. However those of us that run soccer must have a broader view of the child.
We must dedicate ourselves as being an important program in the child’s overall development of mind, body and soul. Our program must strengthen the values the parents want for their children, sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, competitive spirit, will to win, compassion for others, understanding of the rules, respect for authority, love of team, club, family and country.
We are there to put back and to give back to our children what was given to us by our forebears. We are investing in healthy mental attitudes, in building great men and women. Soccer, football is our means. The welfare and healthy development of our children is our goal.
Just before Johnny Warren died he came to speak to the players. One of our most gifted young boys about 8 years old asked him, what do I have to do to be a great player?
To be a great player, you must first become a great person. You must learn to thank your coach and all those who help you. You must consider others who contribute to your enjoyment of the game. Then you can go forward and strive to imitate the best and greatest players.
— Johnny Warren
Johnny Warren summed up the philosophy of Rockdale City Raiders Soccer Club in one: we are about helping parents build great Australians.
The guiding message for all of our registered team officials, is that the welfare of our players comes before all other considerations.
To be a great player, you must first become a great person. You must learn to thank your coach and all those who help you. You must consider others who contribute to your enjoyment of the game. Then you can go forward and strive to imitate the best and greatest players.
— Johnny Warren
Johnny Warren summed up the philosophy of Rockdale City Raiders Soccer Club in one: we are about helping parents build great Australians.
The guiding message for all of our registered team officials, is that the welfare of our players comes before all other considerations.
Our Values
Purpose over performance
Rockdale City Raiders has always had a long tradition of being a family club where the focus is on the development of children. Our founding values and guiding principle is well illustrated in a story told by our present Secretary Stephen Milgate.
One day when cleaning out the flooded canteen, he was cleaning out the smelly rubbish with a shovel into his open trailer when he came across a piece of paper in almost pristine condition.
It was a circular from the late and great Johnny Warren to all the Clubs in the St George district. Johnny used to play for St George Budapest. The letter was written several years before but what he read transfixed him. It was almost as if the letter had been planted for him to read, to guide him in this new endeavour of running a soccer club, something he had never done before. At the top of the page was this question: who are you running your soccer club for?
The circular pointed out that very few players will ever reach elite status in soccer for a variety of reasons. Less than 1% of players that pass through any soccer club will go on to representative honours and few from there to international honours. Therefore the great majority of players will be there for enjoyment and personal development.
The article did not denounce elite success or achievement or winning. All of these are important. Competition at a personal and team level is critical to provide the challenge that drives commitment and achievement. However those of us that run soccer must have a broader view of the child.
We must dedicate ourselves as being an important program in the child’s overall development of mind, body and soul. Our program must strengthen the values the parents want for their children, sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, competitive spirit, will to win, compassion for others, understanding of the rules, respect for authority, love of team, club, family and country.
We are there to put back and to give back to our children what was given to us by our forebears. We are investing in healthy mental attitudes, in building great men and women. Soccer, football is our means. The welfare and healthy development of our children is our goal.
Just before Johnny Warren died he came to speak to the players. One of our most gifted young boys about 8 years old asked him, what do I have to do to be a great player?
2020 Committee
Club Committee
Executive Committee
President
Marcus Andrews
Vice President
Channel Gilhooly
Treasurer
Nancy Hunt
Secretary & Public Officer
Emil Ateya
General Members
Maged Issac, Noah Dean
Executive Committee
President
Marcus Andrews
Vice President
Channel Gilhooly
Treasurer
Nancy Hunt
Secretary & Public Officer
Emil Ateya
General Members
Maged Issac, Noah Dean
Life Members
Jim Graham
John Barnes
Don Marshall
Tom Smith
Ian Baddock
Mark Michel
Keith Tasker
Ron Ogilvie
Phillip Marshall
David Wilkes
Stephen Milgate
Stephen Brimicombe
Bob Burke
Larry Sharpe
Mal Petterson
Nancy Hunt
Reg Whiteoak
Sub Committee Roles
Registrars
Remon Metira
Grants
Riad Riad
Sponsorship
Noah Dean
Ground Co-ordinators
Vacant
Playing & Promotional Gear
Jo Farrell
Equipment – Training & Coaching
Vacant
SGFA Delegates
Marcus Andrews, Chanel Gilhooly, Emil Ateya
Child Welfare Officer
Chanel Gilhooly
Age Co-ordinator 6–7
Vacant
Age Co-ordinator 8–9
Anne Goninan
Age Co-ordinator 10–12
Vacant
Age Co-ordinator 13–18
Vacant
All Age
Vacant
Strategic Planning
Vacant
Coaching Director
Vacant
Social Activities
Chanel Gilhooly
Past Presidents
Ron Ogilvie · Stephen Brimicombe · Mark Seed · Stephen Milgate · Mike Tessyman · Barry Inger · Ian Baddock · Tony Mann · Don Marshall · Jim Graham
Join the
Raiders Family
More than a football club — a community united by shared commitment to the growth and wellbeing of every player.