By Jack McGuire
On a Sunday afternoon at the Opal Hotel Andamooka in early 1986, Kevin Fahey, Tim McLeod and Zollie Ferenci founded a club that has become a powerhouse in local sport – The Roxby Districts Sporting Club (The Miners).
With only a few months before the start of the 1986 Woomera and Districts Football League season (now named the Far North Football League), the ‘Founding Fathers’ (pictured in headline image) conducted a whirlwind recruiting drive.
Thanks to Wally Lewis from Andamooka (not to be mistaken for the Queensland Rugby legend of the same name) brokered The Miners’ entry into the league.
The 1986 Woomera and Districts Football Club. 1986 captain and coach, Tim McLeod, is picture front row, centre
Tim McLeod recalls the club’s rough and ready introduction to the local league.
“Western Mining Company constructed a temporary oval at Olympic Dam,” he says.
“When the oval flooded we trained on the airstrip. Much like kicking the footy on a neighbourhood street, instead of making way for cars, we’d have to make way for landing planes.”
The Miners finished as undefeated Premiers in their inaugural season.
Since, The Miners boast 10 football premierships, including three straight between 2013 and 2015, 10 mail medalists and collectively 12 A, B and C-grade netball premierships since 2008.
The Miners has also boasted A, B and C-grade netball premierships since 2008
President Mark Telfer says the club’s contribution to the wider community is important.
“It may be cliché saying local sports are the weave in the fabric of a community but for us, it’s a fact,” he says.
“My family and the families of many clubs have shared in the social structure, support and the life lessons local sport provides.”
In addition to supporting local non-profit organisations, the club honoured 100 years of ANZAC, auctioning their ANZAC Day match guernseys and donating $5,000 to the Roxby Downs and Andamooka RSL.
The Roxby Districts Sporting Club Premiership team of 2015
RDCS is not just a provider of support for its members, but a contributor to the community that it works and plays in.
“It’s indicative of sporting clubs in South Australian outback communities… to give back to the people that support them,” Mark says.
“At Roxby Districts, we are proud of the part we have played in our community and hope to continue our contribution on and off the field over the next 30 years.”
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