Fitzroy Stars Football Club Explained

Fitzroy Stars Football Club should not be confused with Fitzroy Football Club.

Clubname:Fitzroy Stars Football Club
Color1:black
Color2:
  1. F0B242
Color3:solid #C6343D
Fullname:Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club[1] [2]
Nicknames:Stars
Season:2024
Afterfinals:NFNL: 2nd
NFNLW: 4th
Home&Amp;Away:NFNL: 1st
NFNLW: 3rd
Topgoalkicker:NFNL: Patrick Farrant (59)[3]
Bestandfairest:NFNL: Allan Norris[4]
NFNLW: Nartarsha Bamblett
Founded:[5]
Colours: Red Yellow Black
League:NFNL

Division 3
NFNLW: Division 2

Premierships:VACSAL Carnival (16)[6]
Coach:NFNL: Neville Jetta
Pattern B1:_fitzroy 1975
Pattern So1:_bluetop
Body1:FF0000
Shorts1:004B8D
Socks1:FF0000
Pattern Name1:1976−1980
Url:fitzroystars.com.au (archived)

The Fitzroy Stars Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Thornbury.[7] [8] It is the only football club in Melbourne run by Indigenous Australians.[9] [10]

As of 2024, the club men's team competes in Division 3 of the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL), while the women's team is in Division 2 of the NFNL Women's competition.[11] The club also competes in the annual VACSAL Football Netball Carnival, where it has won the George Atkinson State Championship a total of 16 times.[12] [13]

History

Early years

The Fitzroy Stars were formed in 1973 and joined C Grade in the Metropolitan Football League (MFL) the same year, playing home games at Brunswick Street Oval.[14] They were quickly promoted, and defeated Dallas Stars by 32 points in the 1974 A Grand grand final.[15] However, the MFL disbanded at the end of the season and was replaced by the Northern Metropolitan Football League (NMFL) in 1975, which the Stars entered. From 1976 until 1980, the club wore the same jumper as the Fitzroy Football Club.[16]

The NMFL disbanded after 1980, and the Stars were left without a competition to play in for several years.[17] They entered the YCW Football League (YCWFL) in 1984 and were defeated in the B Grade grand final by the BYC Football Club, before winning the Division 1 premiership in 1986.[15] [18]

When the YCWFL folded in 1986, the Stars applied for entry in 36 local competitions, but received rejections from every single one.[17] As a result, club president Jock Austin formed the Melbourne North Football League (MNFL) in 1989.[17] They won the grand final that year, with further MFNL premierships in 1989, 1990 and 1992, as well as back-to-back grand final losses to Heidelberg Colts in 1993 and 1994.[15] [19] However, the MNFL disbanded following the conclusion of the 1994 season, leaving the Stars to compete solely in football carnivals.[20]

NFNL

In 2006, after 12 years playing in carnivals, the Stars launched a new bid to join the Northern Football League (NFL, later NFNL).[21] The push was led by club president Troy Austin (son of Jock) and gained the support of Kevin Sheedy in 2007, who became the number-one ticket holder.[21] [22]

Before any decision had been made on their entry, the Stars began training at W.R. Ruthven Reserve in Preston.[21] They were accepted into the NFL in 2008 and entered Division 2, where they just missed the finals series after winning 10 of their 18 games.[23] The club used Crispe Park, Bill Lawry Oval and Preston City Oval as home grounds throughout the 2008 season.[19] [24]

In 2012, Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval (where the Stars had played until the end of 1994) was rebuilt with funding provided by the Darebin City Council.[25] The Stars played their at the ground for the first time in the NFL in June 2013.[26]

The Stars reintroduced junior teams in 2018.[20] They also planned to field a women's team for the first time in 2020, before the season was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[27] The women's team eventually entered the NFNL in 2021.[28] [29]

Neville Jetta, who played 159 games for in the Australian Football League (AFL), was announced in October 2024 as the Stars' senior men's coach for the 2025 season.[30] He replaced former player Lionel Proctor.[31]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zarucky . Rose . Anaconda aids Fitzroy Stars in 2022 season . Carlton Football Club . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004041311/https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1107072/anaconda-aid-fitzroy-stars-in-2022-season . 4 October 2024 . 19 April 2022.
  2. Web site: The Fitzroy Stars - A Place for Community . Deadly Story . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240716203452/https://deadlystory.com/page/culture/our-stories/The_Fitzroy_Stars_-_A_Place_for_Community . 16 July 2024.
  3. Web site: Amy . Paul . Done deal: the first 40 signings of the VFL off-season . The Daily Telegraph . CODE Sports . 17 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241108024753/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/done-deal-the-first-40-signings-of-the-vfl-offseason/news-story/8a5c16b7ae11f48b0b9a667ca244dd0f?amp&nk=6b9c8f468d815404a5d3b93eb75d6e59-1731034085 . 8 November 2024 . 8 November 2024.
  4. Web site: 2024 Fitzroy Stars Best & Fairest recap! . Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club . 17 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241117031448/https://www.facebook.com/FitzroyStars/posts/pfbid02BJqfwqnaJHBDH1grxgzsRD8GFz8Q7KGv5MwSuMdLzMirRucz937s3Ryse6MR61mvl . 17 November 2024 . 14 September 2024.
  5. Web site: Club overview . nfnl.org.au . Fitzroy Stars . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004041952/https://nfnl.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Fitzroy-Stars-CEO-Position-Description.pdf . 4 October 2024.
  6. Web site: Clark . Jackson . Fitzroy Stars win VACSAL Statewide Football Carnival . National Indigenous Times . 4 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241004043016/https://nit.com.au/12-10-2023/8104/fitzroy-stars-win-vacsal-statewide-football-carnival . 4 October 2024 . 12 October 2023.
  7. Web site: Hanlon . Peter . Football club denies racism problem . The Age . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181029034316/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/football-club-denies-racism-problem-20130606-2nszt.html . 29 October 2018 . 7 June 2013.
  8. Web site: Burin . Margaret . Fitzroy Stars: Koori pride revived in once-star team . ABC News . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004043104/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-29/fitzroy-stars-koori-pride-revived-in-once-star-team/6733364 . 4 October 2024 . 29 August 2015.
  9. Web site: Harms . John . Footy History: Aboriginal Players at Fitzroy . The Footy Almanac . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608211041/https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/footy-history-aboriginal-players-at-fitzroy/ . 8 June 2023 . 1 June 2015.
  10. Web site: Fitzroy Stars: Melbourne's only Aboriginal footy club - in pictures . Guardian Australia . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004023232/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2016/mar/04/fitzroy-stars-melbournes-only-aboriginal-footy-club-in-pictures . 4 October 2024 . 4 March 2016.
  11. Web site: Fitzroy Stars (NFNL) 2024 . PlayHQ . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004025259/https://www.playhq.com/afl/org/fitzroy-stars-nfnl/85e8dbe5/northern-football-netball-league-nfnl-2024/7a26fcc0/teams . 4 October 2024.
  12. Web site: George Atkinson State Championship History . bigfooty.com . Fitzroy Stars . 4 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241004025457/https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/victorian-aboriginal-football-netball-carnival.491211/ . 4 October 2024 . 17 September 2008.
  13. Web site: The Fitzroy Stars will compete in this weekend's VACSAL Aboriginal Senior Football & Netball Carnival in Portarlington . Facebook . Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club . 4 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241004031702/https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=1132504035542757&id=100063495131156 . 4 October 2024 . 2 October 2024.
  14. Web site: Holding . Peter . The Battle for the Brunswick St Oval . holdingpattern.info . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004040319/https://www.holdingpattern.info/the-battle-for-the-brunswick-st-ovalthefight-for-the-brunswick-st-oval/ . 4 October 2024 . 3 October 2023.
  15. Web site: Fitzroy Stars Football Club (Vic) . Footypedia . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240930231044/https://www.footypedia.info/00000152.htm . 30 September 2024.
  16. Web site: Congratulations to 2024 AFL Premiers, Brisbane Lions! . Facebook . Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club . 4 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241004025812/https://www.facebook.com/FitzroyStars/posts/pfbid0po5cS1kBjtjwUDA6brxJeww5egR8utmvQTjZZLzX2dhyxRpiFBkcYGyvxfpN4WpQl?rdid=DOrMkYN45vKqBb1S . 4 October 2024 . 29 September 2024.
  17. Web site: Gorman . Joe . Jason Mifsud and Fitzroy Stars: a man on a mission at a club that means so much . Guardian Australia . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004032239/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/04/jason-mifsud-and-fitzroy-stars-a-man-on-a-mission-at-a-club-that-means-so-much . 4 October 2024 . 4 March 2016.
  18. Sunday Press (7 September 1986)
  19. Web site: History . GameDay . Fitzroy Stars . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004032611/https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=0-3913-67809-0-0&sID=281489 . 4 October 2024.
  20. Web site: Pearce . Richard . Fitzroy Stars Football Club juniors return to the field after 20-year absence . Herald Sun . Preston Leader . 4 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241004025222/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/fitzroy-stars-football-club-juniors-return-to-the-field-after-20year-absence/news-story/1f023ba0849732dbbf5e951cb9be33b8?amp&nk=47804e5e3afef8b2fe9a5f465b09aeb0-1728010353 . 4 October 2024 . 12 July 2018.
  21. Web site: The Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club Have A Story To Tell. . 3KND . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004034659/https://www.3knd.org.au/post/the-fitzroy-stars-football-netball-club-have-a-story-to-tell . 4 October 2024 . 16 March 2022.
  22. Web site: Former President Troy Austin will be on ABC Radio this morning . Facebook . Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club . 4 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241004035618/https://web.facebook.com/FitzroyStars/posts/former-president-troy-austin-second-from-the-left-will-be-on-abc-radio-the-cooda/3688077847970950/?_rdc=1&_rdr . 4 October 2024 . 5 June 2021.
  23. Web site: 2008 Annual Report . Northern Football League . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119011210/http://nfnl.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2008-NFL-Annual-Report.pdf . 19 November 2023.
  24. Web site: A throwback for your Sunday night . Facebook . Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club . 4 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241004040348/https://www.facebook.com/FitzroyStars/photos/a.223078141137622/2190054204439996/?type=3&paipv=0&eav=AfZf-FzV7rVWwG9Lg76kd5jqch4pjGXMNZAVdg-rfOs8hkqhKAEZPGUyxjYHjL__ZFo&_rdr . 4 October 2024 . 29 September 2019.
  25. Web site: Beck . Maris . Fitzroy Stars enjoying their home-ground advantages . The Age . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221112054857/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/fitzroy-stars-enjoying-their-home-ground-advantages-20120527-1zd28.html . 12 November 2022 . 28 May 2012.
  26. Web site: Fitzroy Stars v Mernda . Northern Football League . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004042435/https://nfnl.org.au/the-highlighter-fitzroy-stars-v-mernda/ . 4 October 2024 . 12 June 2013.
  27. Web site: The Fitzroy Stars Football Netball Club (FSFNC) . Aboriginal Advancement League . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241004040725/https://aal.org.au/the-fitzroy-stars-football-netball-club-fsfnc/ . 4 October 2024 . 25 March 2020.
  28. Web site: Andrews . Daniel . New Changerooms For Women And Girls At The Fitzroy Stars . premier.vic.gov.au . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210330072041/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-changerooms-women-and-girls-fitzroy-stars . 30 March 2021 . 30 March 2021.
  29. Web site: Ireland . James . Kicking goals: Metro launches partnership with The Fitzroy Stars . Metro Trains . 4 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240330101918/https://www.metrotrains.com.au/metro-launches-partnership-with-the-fitzroy-stars/ . 30 March 2024 . 13 April 2021.
  30. Web site: SENIOR COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT . Facebook . Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club . 17 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241117023937/https://www.facebook.com/FitzroyStars/posts/pfbid0Q4XB9jWHaPbJUdMr43HoVF5227nsaNLtw5uqRAbRAazD3KytCgKcezWy6ARdQKpnl?rdid=FBlwEFfVcLyGmLIA . 17 November 2024 . 8 October 2024.
  31. Web site: We would like to sincerely thank Lionel 'Jacko' Proctor for his service as Senior Coach of our club from 2021 to 2024 . Facebook . Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club . 17 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241117031418/https://www.facebook.com/FitzroyStars/posts/pfbid036XE8pfzQniFT3dJv9GypD1JX3dCLhz7rBBqStQ6FpvH3RWefBTJLHBBUKNtYxZndl . 17 November 2024 . 14 October 2024.

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