Match of the Week – West Coast Cowan vs North Beach

The second Key Start Home Loans Match of the Week was an obvious choice, round 1 of A Grade and the 2007 B Grade Premiers, West Coast Cowan Tigers will test their might against the 2007 A Grade Premiers North Beach Tigers.

West Coast Cowan has had two straight successful seasons coming from C Grade in 2006 to A Grade in 2008, an achievement that yielded back to back Premierships and cannot be underestimated. WCC will be welcomed to A Grade by North Beach, the powerhouse club of the Amateur League. With seven of the last nine Premierships that winning feeling doesn’t get old and North Beach are pumped to do it all again in 2008.

West Coast Cowan has enjoyed a good preseason with the focus on preparing their bodies for the more physically demanding A Grade competition. Recent success has meant that recruiting has not been an issue and the Tigers for the first time in their history will field five Amateur League teams.

Head Coach Thomas Wagner and his assistants Tristan Walker and Alex Hamilton have appointed Aaron Cook and Darcy Coffey as Co-Captains with support from Vice Captain Daniel Barnes who has returned to the club after a stint in the eastern states. The club is confident that this group can lead by example and continue their recent success and become an A Grade force.

The preseason has seen the WCC Tigers recruit new talent that will add both strength and experience to an already impressive line up. West Coast Cowan pride themselves on developing young talent and are very proud of success stories Scott Garvey and Jason Kelly who have advanced to seniors from colts last year which is clear proof that the club has a very bright future.

North Beach has shown some encouraging preseason signs that they are set to continue their dominance, recording comprehensive League and Reserve wins over South West League powerhouse South Bunbury. Coach Bill Duckworth is excited by the progress of his Colts from two years ago that are now ready for the next step into A Grade footy. The club is buoyed by some experienced eastern states recruits that will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

North Beach has been able to retain the vast majority of their 2007 Premiership side but will feel the loss of two time All Australian, five time Club Champion and Six time premiership player Chris Perkin who has taken up a Physiotherapist position at the West Coast Eagles and will be unavailable most Saturday’s.

NB Tigers has produced some fine A Grade players from NBFC Colts, including two time All Australian Amateur players Kyle Riemann and Josh McGinnity. They proudly boast two Colts teams coached by Gary Stocks and Richard Bewick with the charge of helping to foster and develop new talent that will ensure continued club success. North Beach juniors have over 300 members and a fruitful alliance will continue with many of the juniors being sons of past NBFC A Grade Premiership players.

Having retained their two major sponsors in EMCO and GCS and with many others coming on board West Coast Cowan is in a good financial position for 2008.

Redevelopment plans for The City Beach Oval facilities are set to begin at the end of the season. This long overdue development will allow the club to further accommodate increasing membership numbers that inevitably comes with prolonged success and strong links to the West Coast Junior Football Club.

WCC have a Sponsors Day, Ladies Day, Family Day and Past Player’s day scheduled for the year ahead. A new look website; www.westcoastcowan.com has been released and will continue to be a forum for sponsors, supporters, past and present players.

New North Beach Football Club president Dave Cassidy has formed a hardworking committee, focused with continuing on field success whilst providing a great environment & club culture. Several key functions are planned for the year to help raise money for a new lighting Initiative at Charles Riley Reserve.

The Gary Tait Past Players & Sponsors Day – 17th May 2008 v University. Past players of the club come together and remember the former Claremont and three time NBFC Premiership player, Gary Tait who was tragically killed in 1997 in Hong Kong. A club initiative in 2007 saw a medal struck in honour of the former club champion and is presented by Gary’s father, John, to the best player on the ground.

NBFC Quiz Night – Tuesday 27th May featuring AFL Legend Doug Hawkins at the Hellenic Community Centre Northbridge.

NBFC Tiger 200 Club – Past and Present Players and Supporters are encouraged to join in this exclusive club with many benefits which includes monthly money draws.

For more information on any of these events contact Dave Cassidy on 0402848958 or visit the new club website www.nbfc.com.au designed by club sponsor Team Reprotype based in Northbridge.

NBFC would like to acknowledge Major Sponsors O’Rourke Reality Investments, Credent Financial Services, Greenwood Hotel, Team Reprotype, Tuck Plumbing Fixtures, E Home Loans and all other associated sponsors.

Both West Coast Cowan and North Beach would like to recognize the support of all the volunteers, supporters and sponsors that continue to encourage club success on and off the field and keep Amateur Football alive.