ERMINGTON UNITED

OUR HISTORY
In 1957 local parents were interested in forming a soccer club and so began the history of Ermington Sport. Ermington soccer was the brain child of four men - George Mannix, Bill Murphy, Fred Dixon and Ted Turner.

Ermington Soccer initially used Cowells Lane and George Kendall  Reserve which in those days consisted of one field adjacant to the rubbish tip!

In 1960, Betty Mannix recalls an interesting club fund-raiser at her home. Numbers were expected to be around 60-80 people; however to Bett's recollection, nearly half the population of Ermington attended - and police had to close off Spofforth Street to control numbers!!

By 1961, it was decided that numbers and interests were increasing to such an extent, that additional sports needed to be represented, so a sports and Recreation Club was initiated.

The first AGM was held on Australia Day, 26th January, 1961. Meetings of our original club were held in the garages of our founding members, as no club-house was available. The constitution was a few years coming and was finally ratified by the founding members in March 1965.

Foundation members of the Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club were:

Audrey Paul, Pat Graham, Annette West, Bill Williams, Fred Dixon, Tom Turner, Bill Murphy, Alex Herkiss, Tom Gaunt, George Mannix, Greg Bell, Mr Robinson and Mr Ravoul.

Life membership is given to members of our club who have shown dedication above and beyond the call of duty.

LIFE MEMBERS
Below is a list of these dedicated local life members:

Audrey Paul, Fred Dixon, George Mannix, Vic Carson, Bill Murphy, Alex herkiss, Tom Gaunt, Ted Cooper, Pat Graham, Bruce Hodges, France Mutton, Barbara Howe, Tom McColl, Val Robinson, B. Cotrell, Annette West, Josephine Vance, Margaret McDonald, Les Vance, Shan Tang, Ken Stewart, Andrew Rawding, Louise Turnbull, Geoff Dicker

THE SPORTING PAST
The Cowell's Lane Clubhouse was opened by Councillor Keith McKinnon on 16th December, 1983. Meetings have been held there since on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, with the AGM being held on the 3rd Tuesday in November.

Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club has hosted a variety of sports over the years. Some have shown the test of time, namely Soccer, Netball and Tennis; however, Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club once hosted a variety of sports which, for one reason or another, have faded from public popularity in the area.

CRICKET
Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club  commenced playing cricket in August, 1965. Cricket was played at Cowells Lane Reserve (opposite the Tennis Courts). We were affiliated with the Northern Districts Cricket Association in 1966 and continued to feild teams until the late 70's when many players moved on to play with Rydalmere.

AUSSIE RULES
Australian Rules Football commenced in February 1966 when Mr Murphy organised three teams to play at ELS Hall fields at Kent Road, North Ryde. In 1969 Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club had three registered teams; with 2 becoming Premiers and the third team Runner-up! Not a bad effort after only three years!! Unfortunately, in 1971, Mr Murphy withdrew the teams, so they could go it alone.

ARCHERY
Archery was an interesting sporting addition in 1970. It began in April and was held at George Kendall on Sundays. The Archery Club was affliliated with the Epping Archery Club, but unfortunately, due to a lack of numbers, this adventure only lasted 12 months.

ATHLETICS
A Little Athletics section was commenced in September 1972. Mr John Simpson was the Secretary and Mrs Joy Peasley the Treasurer. In 1975, Ermington United competed in the State Championships. Michelle Rogers competed successfully and was selected as a State Representative in 1975. Once again, due to a decrease in numbers and interest , the Little Athletics survived only until the late 1970's.

BOOMERANG THROWING
Boomerang Throwing was introduced in March 1985. Mr Durant was given Honorary membership to Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club. The Boomerang Throwing Association of NSW were given the right to use the field at Cowells Lane every second Sunday for each month of competition.. This was a short association with only one competition taking place!

TENNIS
One of the existing Founding Sports, Tennis, became popular in the late 1960's. Mr Greg Bell was the original user of the Cowells Lane Tennis Courts where he was a full-time coach (1969-1972). Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club had the use of these courts for a period of about 11 years, before the lease with Parramatta City Council was signed in August,  1985, for a period of 20 years.

Cowells Lane courts were built by Parramatta City Council and Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club now manages the lease.

Over the years Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club have had teams entered in night competitions, Saturday morning and afternoon comps for both boys and girls, but at present, Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club does not have any competitive teams. However it does hire out both Geroge Kendall and Cowells Lane facilities to any aspiring tennis players.

SPORTS TODAY
NETBALL
Faye Multon, Mrs Nash, Mrs Gaunt, Mrs Shorter and  Barbara Howe well all active in the organising of Basketball/Netball. Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club affiliated with Eastwood/Ryde Netball Association (ERNA) for the first time in 1967. Original games for Basketball/Netball were played at George Kendall (Gregory St end). Eastwood/Ryde Netball used George Kendall for their Saturday competitions until 1980, when courts were completed at Meadowbank Park and Brush Farm Park. Basketball(Womens) officially changed name in 1972 to "Netball" throughout Australia. In the early 1970's teams increased to thirteen and kept increasing up until the late 1980's.

Dwindling numbers over the last decade have resulted in our fielding of only one senior ladies and one junior girls side in 2008. Both these teams have been enormously succesfull over the last couple of seasons and a resurgence of interest has resulted in programs being implemented to increase our teams, particularly junior sides within the local schools.

Soccer, currently Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club's strongest sport, survived some "sketchy" beginnings.

Our original affiliation with Gladesville/Hornsby commenced in February 1965 and continued until a border dispute erupted between Gladesville and Granville, both associations claiming Ermington should allign with them. After some very heated local debate and legal procedings a decision was made in June 1967 to align with Granville.

Lighting was installed at George Kendall in June 1970 allowing for evening training sessions.

Prior to 1969, records were inaccurate or difficult to resource. Soccer was originally played at Cowells Lane whilst George Kendall was being up-graded. Records show 7 teams playing in the Granville Association in 1969 and while this number has fluctuated over the years.