In 2013, the Fremantle Dockers came to the rescue of the Niagara Park Dockers, a junior football club that was facing insolvency and battling to field a single team.

The Freo Dockers supported the small NSW Central Coast club through payment of outstanding invoices and the supply of bags, footballs, guernseys and other gear to help get the struggling club back on its feet. As a result of that help, the club was able to field an under 9’s team and run an Auskick program last year.

In 2014, the Niagara Park Dockers ran an Auskick program and entered an under 9’s team in the Central Coast junior AFL competition. Niagara Park also partnered with a neighbouring club that was also struggling for numbers to enter an under 11’s team in the junior competition, nicknamed the All-Stars.

The All-Stars finished the home and away competition in second position out of eight with 10 wins and 3 losses. A thrilling three-point win against the previously undefeated Killarney Vale in the Qualifying Final saw the All-Stars progress to the Grand Final. Killarney Vale convincingly defeated Terrigal Avoca in the Preliminary Final to set up a re-match against the All-Stars in the decider.

Played in rainy, overcast conditions on a muddy field, the Grand Final turned out to be a tight match-up. In a seesawing battle, the desperate defence of the All-Stars proved the difference, clinching the premiership with an eight-point win. It was a superb all-round team effort with each player giving their absolute best.

Niagara Park Dockers president Greg Sullivan was thrilled with how the season panned out.

“The whole club is tremendously proud of our little Niagara Park Dockers,” he said.

“All season the All-Stars demonstrated that they would never give up.

“In very difficult conditions, the All-Stars displayed grit, determination and courage to hold out a much larger and more experienced opposition.”

“I expect to see more little Niagara Park Dockers run on to the field in 2015.”