Sports club ready for a big 2020

By David Schout

After recently celebrating its official launch, the newly-formed Docklands Sports Club (DSC) is readying itself for a huge 2020.

On November 24, over 200 people attended Ron Barassi Snr Park to celebrate the official opening of a club that has had a meteoric rise in the area.

In just a matter of months, the club has already enrolled 50 children in junior soccer and cricket programs.

Next year, it aims to continue with these while adding an Auskick (AFL) program, as well as entering nine- to 10-year-old junior teams into competitive leagues.

President Carina Parisella told Docklands News that the launch day was a “huge success.”

“Part of the anticipation is whether people will actually turn up. So, to see many kids and parents there was so pleasing,” she said.

On a sun-drenched Sunday morning, representatives from the North Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne Stars cricket team and the newly-formed A-league outfit Western United were all on hand to introduce new skills and promote their clubs.

Lord Mayor and Docklands resident Sally Capp was also in attendance on the day, which was opened with a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse the land.

Parents were seen helping out on the barbecue and other activities, which Ms Parisella said was one of the most pleasing aspects of the day.

Many commented that “it was about time” a club formed in Docklands, and that they no longer had to look to surrounding suburbs to find sporting opportunities for their kids.

She said while DSC – which officially formed in August – was focusing on starting grassroots junior programs, there was also a desire to see adult sport at its home ground, situated next to the Bolte Bridge.

“It was great to see so many conversations happening about what people want to see in their local club. Obviously, there was a big focus on children but there seems to be good appetite about adult play and competitions, so we’ll definitely look into that.”

The club currently offers adult yoga classes on a Thursday night.

Ms Parisella said the committee was pleased with the early success of the club.

“The biggest challenge is getting the club properly established,” she said.

“I speak with presidents from clubs that have been in place for years and have 30-40 teams and you wonder ‘how will we ever get there?’ But if you break it down, you’ve just got to start somewhere. If you get the buy-in from the local community, which we’ve had, then things go from there.”

For more information about upcoming programs and news at DSC, visit the club’s Facebook page @docklandssportsclub