Tara Murray
Williamstown CYMS Football Club will celebrate its history while marking its relationships within the community at a special ‘homecoming’ day.
July 22 will be homecoming day for the club with several activities in place, with six of their seven senior sides in action at either Fearon or Lofts Reserve that day.
There are two key themes for the day.
The first is to recognise the history of the club, with the senior men and women’s, and under-19s team all wearing special retro tops that represent the 1960s’-70s.
The second is to highlight the ‘Football Williamstown’ pathway with visible links to Williamstown’s Victorian Football League team and Williamstown Junior Football Club.
Senior men’s captain Rob Chan said the playing group was getting quite excited about it.
“It’ll be nice to have a bit bigger crowd and wear the old heritage jersey,” he said. “There’s plenty of excitement for the boys.
“It’s a big occasion and it gives us a chance to give back a little to the community that gives us so much.”
“It’s a special day to say thanks for staying around us.”
The club has been sharing tales of its history on social media, giving the players the opportunity to find out more about the club and those who represented the jumper in the past.
Chan said having been about the club for a number of years he had heard a lot of the stories, but for the younger group it provides some good insight.
“We had a past players round a few weeks ago and a lot of the old boys were around the club and mixing with the players,” he said.
“It’s a good opportunity to acknowledge them and get back to the grassroots.”
The Williamstown Junior Football Club will also be involved in the day, with activation areas for the children, while there will be games at half time of the reserves and women’s matches.
Chan said the two clubs had a really good relationship and wanted to further continue it.
“A lot of the boys have come through the program, but there hasn’t always been an established pathway.
“When I was younger and coming out of under-16s I wasn’t sure of the CYs and what they were about.
“It will be highlighted with the juniors running around at half time in a couple of weeks time.”
On field, the CYs had a bye on the weekend with interleague for both the men’s and women’s.
The senior men’s team is sitting eighth on the ladder with four wins.
Chan said things were coming together.
“We were an unfamiliar team at the start, especially losing a couple of key players in our captain and vice-captain heading overseas,” he said.
“It took a few weeks to gel and really develop an identity and get to know the group better.
“We are taking it step by step and I’m really proud of the group the last few games.”
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