Prior to the formation of the Central Districts Football Association which essentially combined junior clubs from East Perth, West Perth, Subiaco and Claremont due to declining numbers, Dianella and Coolbinia were still experiencing success including back to back premierships for the Dianella 14s and 15s in 1985 and 1986. I’m proud to say coached by yours truly. That team produced two WAFL players Michael Jeps and Ben Stewart who both played for West Perth the latter playing in West Perth’s 1995 premiership team.
The Bombers have had limited success winning some minor carnivals and competitions over the years but the highlight was a premiership by our 13s in 1998. Our 2000, 15s team also won a Country Carnival championship and the club has won the Champion club award three times which combines achievement across all age groups, discipline and fair play. In 1993 the club won the Aussie Rules section (9s – 12s) and in 2000 & 2003 took out the Youth Division (13s – 17s).
Last season our 13s team were successful in taking out the Country carnival going through undefeated in their age group as well as winning the Lou Miraudo Cup a memorial trophy played between Bombers JFC and Ballajura. The 13s were also gallant before going down to Northern Cobras n the 13s Grand Final 6-7 to 3-7.
A number of functions and social activities are planned this year and we hope to develop a family culture within the club so as to form a united and close knit community aimed at not only teaching the skills of football to our children but to provide a social avenue for comraderie, friendship and networking for parents.
History of Coolbinia Bombers JFC as told by Mr Bill Forrest guest speaker at our 20th Anniversary dinner 20 July 2007
It is my pleasant duty to be invited here tonight to speak on the early formation and history of the Coolbinia – Yokine Junior Football Club. It only seems like yesterday but back in 1969 I was the Secretary of Coolbinia.
In the Annual Report of 1970 I wrote a brief history of the club and this was also included in an updated version that was part of the club’s history that appeared in the 1981 annual report that was presented to celebrate Coolbinia’s 21 years as a junior football club. The Club right from its first year of acceptance into the East Perth Junior Council was a very proud and successful junior football club. I could talk for a considerable time about the achievements of players and the dedication of many outstanding officials. However, this is a night for celebration of the formation of the Bombers Junior Football Club and rather than boring you all I will restrict my comments to a few of the highlights that have occurred over the years.
The foundation of the club initiated from a meeting that was convened by Mr Neville Reynolds who at the time was President of the East Perth Junior Football Council and a teacher at Coolbinia Primary School. The meeting was held at the CoolbiniaPrimary School on November 24, 1960. A number of interested parents attended the meeting and it was decided to call an inaugural meeting on December 15, 1960. There was a large attendance of boys and parents at this meeting and the following parents were elected as Office Bearers for the 1961 season.
President: Mr Les Barnes
Vice Presidents: Mr S Griffiths and Mr Len McCarthy
Sec/Treasurer: Mr Max White
Committee: Messrs Bruce Daniel, A Meaton, A Naismith and Alex Barras
It is now 46 years since the club’s first season and I believe most of these officials have passed away. Len McCarthy who is aged 89 still lives in Marradong Street Coolbinia and Bruce Daniel who is aged 86 still lives in Rothsay Cresopposite Alexander Park Oval.
There were several suggestions regarding the naming of the Club. These included: The Scaddan J.F.C. and the Alexander Park J.F.C. It was finally decided that Coolbinia – Yokine would be the most appropriate name as the original intention in creating the Club was to cater for the youth of both districts. The club was accepted into the East Perth Junior Football Council in early 1961 and teams were entered in the 14 and 16 grades. The nucleolus of the two teams was drawn from the Alexander Park Football Club for juniors that for a number of years had been conducted by Laurie Bandy.
The Club’s home ground in 1961 was at Alexander Park. The ground was a far cry from the facilities that the Bombers now enjoy at their Bradford Street ground. Alexander Park was a very small ground that sloped downhill, there were no change rooms, seating or shelter from the rain. The officials and players were obviously a very dedicated and hardy group because they suffered the lack of proper facilities for over a decade. The club was a very proud club and right from their beginning they had a great deal of success on the playing field. In their first year of competition the 14’s coached by Norm Ashton won the premiership. During the 1961 and 1962 seasons the club was known as the Coolbinia – Yokine Under 14 and Under 16 Football Club. A decision was made to form an under 18 team and players from the Northern Districts Temperance Club merged with Coolbinia-Yokine and the name of the club was changed to the Coolbinia – Yokine Junior Football Club. From this point onwards the club and the players enjoyed considerable success both on and off the field.
In 1964 The 12’s grade competition was inaugurated. This was in the years prior to – the modified game that you all know today – the 12’s played open rules. The club team played off in the Grand Final and was defeated byInglewood. The 14’s team coached by John Gallagher won the premiership by defeating Mount Lawley. Ross Hogan the captain of the 14’s scored another first for the club by winning the East Perth Junior Council’s Fairest & Best Award.
At the end of the 1965 season the 18’s team went on tour to Melbourne. Several matches were played in Melbourne. The 14’s team captained by John Daniel and coached by John Gallagher won the Grand Final for the second successive year.
The year of 1966 is one that supporters, officials and players will long remember regarding the 16’s team and many say this was the best team that the club ever produced and perhaps the unluckiest. The team that was coached by Bob Boucher was undefeated in qualifying rounds. In the second semi-final Coolbinia easily accounted for Inglewood. The Grand Final was played against CBHS, in cold, wet and blustery conditions. At the final siren scores were equal. The game was then decided by a further two quarters of ten minutes each. CBHS had first use of the breeze and went on to win a low scoring game by the narrowest of margins. Unfortunately in all the disappointment the final scores were never entered in the teams book. Bill Boucher won the award for the District Fairest and Best in the 16’s.
In 1967 after completing a period of four years as President of the club, Bruce Daniel retired and my good friend and neighbour, Bill Crowe, took over the position. Two of the club’s outstanding footballers namely John Daniel and Paul Cook were selected in the State Schoolboys team. John gained a further honour in being selected in the All-Australian team.
Before the 1968 fixtures were about to commence Bill Crowe approached Lisle Bremner, the secretary of the Junior Council, and advised him that the club was unable to find enough players to field an 18’s team and although the fixtures had been drawn up the club would have to withdraw their nomination. Bremner’s reply to Bill Crowe was – “Well Bill, if you withdraw your team now your club will not be able to nominate another 18’s team for a period of two years.” With this threat in his mind Bill Crowe returned to the club with the news and it was decided to make a concerted effort to recruit more players. At the start of the season the team was able to muster the bare 18 players and the team managed to front up each week with the help of a couple of reserves from the 16’s. The calibre of the players in the team was such that during the season the team won their share of games and finished second on the premiership ladder.
From 1978 when the club fielded five teams and had 120 registered players, numbers began to fall away and eight years later in 1987 the club was only able to field 10’s, 12’s and 15’s with a total of 55 registered players. Amalgamation appeared to be the only way the club known as Coolbinia – Yokine could survive. The amalgamation of Coolbinia and Dianella eventuated and resulted in the formation of the Bombers Junior Football Club.
A further 20 years on and it is to the credit of the coaches and executive members of the Bombers that the club in season 2007 is catering for over 350 boys and girls in the Auskick competition and 11 teams ranging in ages from 9’s through to 17’s. I offer my congratulations for a magnificent performance.
At Coolbinia and for that manner also the Bombers we have produced a number of players who have played no more than a maximum of 4 league football games excepting only Russell Argent (12 games) John Bandy (96Games) Spiro Mallis (48) and John Daniel (155) but when it comes to producing Teachers, Dentists or Doctors we are up with the best. I sincerely hope that amongst this great influx of 2007 kids, there a number who will go on to play extended league or even AFL football careers.
Bill Forrest.
Link to ANNUAL REPORT ARCHIVES