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The Countdown Starts Now - 100 Events to Celebrate 100 Years of Football
The Queanbeyan Tigers will turn 100 Years old in 2024 and in preparation for our Centenary Year, a sub-committee led by Club Chaplain Scott Minchin will prepare a list of 100 activities leading up to the occasion starting with the Tigers 40th Annual 100 Club Dinner in August 2021.
The Tigers were formed in 1925 and are the oldest Australian Football Club in the Queanbeyan / Canberra District followed by Eastlake (1926) and Ainslie (1927).
The Club has endured some extremely successful years since the early eighties but prior to that and in particular during the 60s and 70s, there were serious concerns as to its viability as it struggled to compete in a competition heavily dominated by the then big three - Ainslie, Eastlake and Manuka – all three supported by wealthy and successful licensed clubs.
To highlight the Clubs serious plight, it was threatened with expulsion in 1981 from the then ACTAFL as it failed to field an Under 19 grade team, were bottom of the first-grade table with few wins and struggled to field a reserve grade team on occasions. The highest score posted against the Tigers occurred this season with Ainslie posting 36.15 (231) to 7.6 (48).
However, with the threat of being relegated from the senior competition came the knowledge that plans were well underway to establish a licensed club in South Queanbeyan as well as moving to a new home ground – now known as Aulich Park, but more officially known as the Margaret Donoghoe Sportsground.
The opening of the Tigers licensed club in April 1983 provided a home base and financial stability to match it with the leading clubs and it has since seen every available premiership and individual award cross the border on multiple occasions.
1st Activity of 100 – The 40th Annual 100 Club Dinner / Function
The countdown begins with what has proven to be the catalyst of building a sound foundation based on individual achievements from the past and the future.
The Annual 100 Club Function was established to recognise the achievement of playing 100 1st Grade games. Records were established and past players celebrated for this achievement at the first 100 Club held at the Queanbeyan Bowling Club in 1982.
It has since progressed to recognise 100 Club game players, to induct players / officials into the Clubs wonderful Wall of Fame, unique Walk of Honour, to acknowledge other notable achievements such as 150, 200, 250 and 300 Club games and induct 100 Club Associates being those who have given outstanding service to the organisation over a period as volunteers or coaches.
Although the 100-year anniversary celebrates our anniversary of participation in the Men's competition our club is equally proud of our Women's program.
What better way to start the 100 Countdown to our Century Year than with the 40th Annual 100 Club Function – this year celebrating the first female player to be inducted into the Tigers Wall of Fame and Walk of Honour on the occasion of playing 150 Club Games.
