The Year 1978...

1978 saw Ingleburn grow quickly in numbers. This enabled us to field 3 Men's teams - one in 2nd Grade, one in 3rd Grade and one in 4th Grade. There were Junior teams. A current player, Garry Mumberson told me that he played in a team with his twin brother Chris, but there is no formal record of how many teams or who played. Hopefully, someone out there - maybe - has kept a photo or some other record that may help us recognise those players and coaches who were part of it!

Ingleburn High School became our first home ground. Games were also played at Orana Park, St Gregory's College, Leumeah High School, Hurley Park Campbelltown, Bargo Showground and Yulong Oval in the Holdsworthy Army Camp.

The 2nd & 3rd Grade teams managed to continue the success of 1977 and win their respective premierships. Photos are in separate articles, the Green Book and also the Photo Gallery. The Grand Finals were held at Bradbury Oval. I am reliably informed that the local community radio station actually broadcast the 1st Grade Grand Final. It was the first and probably the last time this ever occurred.

Records of how the club was run during this year are also very sketchy. There are only the minutes from the first AGM and a club meeting on the 24th October 1978. It appears to be the first formal club meeting held.

The October meeting makes mention of Junior teams in preparation for the 1979 season, but no details are held of Junior teams entered in 1978 competitions. It appears from the minutes that John Clark loaned the club some money to help fund the Juniors. A sum of money was mentioned, which was a lot of money back then. The club fee was around the $25 region.

Plans were being put into place to seek sponsorship for the club and to enter the Club's first ever 1st Grade team. Publicity was by word of mouth and hand written reports. They seemed to get more publicity in newspapers than we do today!

Communication between club members was at training or games, by phone or newsletters that were eventually to be printed as a stencil on a spirit duplicator - my how times have changed!

Our first bank account was opened at the Rural Bank in Ingleburn.