Football club kicks 50 years

The BaySportMed Bowl and Cup finals has kicked off this afternoon as the main drawcard of Otumoetai Football Club's 50th birthday celebrations today.

People have been flocking to the club at Fergusson Park to watch junior games this morning, and check out photographs of old OFC times in the clubhouse.


Liam van der Vlugt, 9, George Foster, 6, and George Stevenson, 9, try out one of their club's new memorial bench-seats. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

This afternoon's bowl final sees Old Blues' Bay 2 versus Tauranga City United's Bay 1, followed by Otumoetai Bay 2 up against Te Puke United Bay 1 in the cup final.

OFC president Richard Kluit says the day has been full on but 'excellent” as the battle for the BaySportMed Bowl and Cup begins.

'The whole enthusiam from everybody here – both out on the pitches and in the clubrooms and coming to see the balloons and pictures and so forth – has been excellent.”

'And now we've got the finals out there of the finals of the Baysport bowl cup – so it's a very big full-on day for us.”

Richard says Otumoetai Football Club was founded in 1964 by local families wanting their children to play the sport.

The club's original home was Bellevue Park but it shifted to Fergusson Park in the 1970s.


Sunlive photographer Tracy Hardy captures some of the action at Fergusson Park today.

Richard says as Tauranga has grown so has OFC and today the club boasts more than 800 players making up 80 teams from junior grades through to senior ranks – including men's and women's sides.

Five decades expansion has seen the club become 'the cornerstone” of Otumoetai Sport and Recreation Club, which is home to a myriad of sports and clubs.

'We have a mix of many nationalities, and by-and-large it's our local kids and families.

'Our philosophy is participation by all – that's why we have a large club today.”

From 2pm the club will unveil two bench-seats to be installed next to the number one pitch.

One seat recognises the club's 50th anniversary and club member Betty Lusher's contributions.

'When Betty was alive she did an awful lot, particularly for kids' football. She was a very supportive person.

'The other seat honours life member Keith Smith, who has passed on. He was a coach for many years and one of five life members.”

Richard's now calling on former members to commemorate the anniversary by offering club photos, to post on its website and Facebook page.

'We've had thousands and thousands of members over the years, so anyone that could provide old team photos would be greatly appreciated.”

'When it's on Facebook past members from all over the world can click on them and show their kids ‘this is where I played football in the 1980s or 1990s'.

To submit photos call Richard on 027 433 7675 or email admin@otumoetaifootball.co.nz


Sunlive photographer Tracy Hardy captures some of the action at Fergusson Park today.


The battle between Otumoetai Galaxy and Otumoetai Thunderbolts.





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