FOUR years after being axed from the top tier of Newcastle Football’s competition, the Nelson Bay United club is back with a new committee, new strip and a determination to grow and develop the game.
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In the words of former United president Zoran Rankovic: "We want soccer back where it belongs, the number one sport in Port Stephens”.
“There is a strong history of the club playing in the top Newcastle or Northern NSW competition until we were shown the door four years ago,” Rankovic said.
“Football has remained strong in that time and it’s particularly pleasing that the area has maintained a huge junior base which gives us hope of playing top level football in 2016.”
Founded well over 50 years ago, the first reincarnation of Nelson Bay United came in 1977.
The club enjoyed the next 34 years of fielding three senior sides – at its peak it had more than 50 registered players – in the competitive Zone League One premiership.
That was before Nelson Bay United was cut by Newcastle Football for failing to attend meetings and for incorrect registration processes.
Prominent sporting administrator Michael Larkin has taken over the reins as president.
Larkin’s daughter, Pia Larkin, is treasurer, Sally Patterson secretary and Rankovic elected as vice-president.
Both Larkin and Patterson have wide experience in sports administration roles in Nelson Bay and have big plans to grow and develop football on the peninsula.
“Our main goal is to reinstate Nelson Bay United in the Newcastle comp and provide a pathway for the juniors so they’re not forced to travel into Newcastle,” said Larkin, a former committee representative on the Tomaree Sports Council, Fingal Surf Life Saving Club and Nelson Bay Touch.
“We have no plans to compete with, or disrupt, the current Nelson Bay junior football set up.
“I am a former junior coach and committee member and they do a great job.
“We are looking at re-establishing the United name in first division, reinstating Tomaree [number one sportsground] as our home ground and creating a new strip using the same green and gold colours.”
Larkin said one of his first tasks was to invite all former players and committee back to the fold.
“We are officially recruiting for players and fortunately, the club has some money left over from four years ago to help pay for uniforms, equipment and fees,” he added.
“I am a firm believer that being part of any sporting organisation helps shape the local community and contributes to a strong and successful sporting culture.
“This is an exciting time for football in the Bay and we want the right people on board moving forward.”
Anyone interested in playing, coaching or volunteering with Nelson Bay United can contact Larkin on 0408 645 553.
