Over the last 20 years there has been a great number of local football teams disappear from the region. This has obviously led to lowering participation rates of both senior and junior football teams. However in recent years, communities such as Westbury have seen some considerable growth driven by the establishment of local businesses. We like the rest of the Meander Valley community believe that it was time to resurrect a club and make a positive contribution to the community’s wellbeing.
Once it became known that there was a plan to revive the local sports activities, those heading the drive to bring it about received considerable support with well-attended community meetings and expressions of support. This support came from such bodies as the local council, regional businesses, other sporting clubs and service organisations.
Since the formation of the club our first year, we have had considerable success for such a young club. In our first season (2012) we were victorious in the Leven Football Association grand final defeating Mole Creek. We were the first team in the history of Tasmanian Football to win a premiership in its first season and backed this up with a second grand final appearance in 2013, unfortunately losing by a goal.
During the Leven era our players won numerous awards, with Braden Crosby winning the clubs first best and fairest trophy, as well as The Leven Association best and fairest, best U’21 association player, best on ground in the grand final and best on ground in the association team. Alex Wadley won the league goal kicking in 2012 with 109 goals as well and was Vice-Captain of the Leven Association Team. Our club contributed eight players to the association team in both of 2012 and 2013, the most of any club.
At the end of the 2013 season it was decided that the club would move into the NTFA Division 2 competition. In doing this we gained the services of several local products including Danny and Josh Bennett who led the club in its inaugural two years in the NTFA competition. The club improved from 6 club wins in 2014 to 15 in 2015 with the seniors half a game out of a maiden finals appearance and drawing with Evandale who were ladder leaders at the time. Thomas Mitchell notably won the reserves association best and fairest award.
Rise of ‘The Meander Valley Suns’:
Over the last 20 years there has been a great number of local football teams disappear from the region. This has obviously led to lowering participation rates of both senior and junior football teams. However in recent years, communities such as Westbury have seen some considerable growth driven by the establishment of local businesses. We like the rest of the Meander Valley community believe that it was time to resurrect a club and make a positive contribution to the community’s wellbeing.
Once it became known that there was a plan to revive the local sports activities, those heading the drive to bring it about received considerable support with well-attended community meetings and expressions of support. This support came from such bodies as the local council, regional businesses, other sporting clubs and service organisations.
Since the formation of the club our first year, we have had considerable success for such a young club. In our first season (2012) we were victorious in the Leven Football Association grand final defeating Mole Creek. We were the first team in the history of Tasmanian Football to win a premiership in its first season and backed this up with a second grand final appearance in 2013, unfortunately losing by a goal.
During the Leven era our players won numerous awards, with Braden Crosby winning the clubs first best and fairest trophy, as well as The Leven Association best and fairest, best U’21 association player, best on ground in the grand final and best on ground in the association team. Alex Wadley won the league goal kicking in 2012 with 109 goals as well and was Vice-Captain of the Leven Association Team. Our club contributed eight players to the association team in both of 2012 and 2013, the most of any club.
At the end of the 2013 season it was decided that the club would move into the NTFA Division 2 competition. In doing this we gained the services of several local products including Danny and Josh Bennett who led the club in its inaugural two years in the NTFA competition. Now in our six season in the NTFA, finals have proven to be elusive however we are building a culture that is sustainable, and many of our players have remained fiercely loyal over the journey. We hope to repay them, and our supporters with finals appearances soon!
Women's Footy
A recent development in our clubs history is our first women's team. The Meander Valley Allies played out of Westbury and Prospect in 2018, and were as much a part of our club as the reserves and seniors, however in 2019 we decided to become one with our women's team competing under the Suns banner. Falling an agonisingly 2% short of finals, it is fair to say this side has an exciting future!
Continuing the rise...
One of the benefits of starting a club from the ground up, is despite our history through the Hagley and Westbury Football Clubs, we are also able to define our own history through the decisions we make now without the weight of expectation or stigma from the past that other clubs sometimes face. Our club has put-in considerable time and effort into building a culture of expected behaviour that our players, committee members and helpers, and supporters exhibit. Each year our playing group sits down and establishes these ‘requirements’ that must be met in order for one to be involved in the Meander Valley Football Club. At this point in time it is acknowledged by rival clubs and impartial observers that our club is safe, family-friendly and well-disciplined on- field.