| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Club State | VIC |
| Club Name | COBURG |
| Club Commenced | 1905 |
| Club Ceased | 1980s |
| Club Uniform | navy and white |
| Club History | Coburg Lacrosse Club was founded in 1905 by a few enthusiasts, only three of whom had ever played the game previously. The first secretary, Alex Sutherland, the first president was Mr H. E. Lake, and his three sons, Bert (Captain), Monty and Harold were foundation members. The club's home ground was the old Coburg Cricket Ground (Now McDonald Reserve), and its northern boundary the forbidding looking bluestone wall of the Pentridge Gaol. This ground was in continuous use by the club up until the 1970's. The club prospered, and when the First World War broke out in 1914 it had two or three teams playing, the senior team playing in the Junior A section, just prior to the war. The players enlisted for active service in such numbers that only a few juniors were left to keep the game gong in the northern suburbs. Several members served with distinction and several paid the supreme sacrifice. On peace being declared, the members who returned forsook the rifle for the racquet, and soon had the grand old game in full swing again. It was during this period that the club was fortunate to have a lot of up-and-coming young players. Unfortunately, senior clubs had their eyes on its most promising material, and it wasn't long before M.C.C. had the McIndoes, Bill Waters, Jim Reid (Brother of Graham Reid) and one or two others. In the late 1920's the club was very fortunate to obtain the services of those great players, Warwick Ashby, Harry Puddy and Jim O'Gorman, of the Adult Deaf Club. In 1930, under the shrewd leadership of Doug Marshall, the team won the senior "A" premiership by defeating the mighty Malvern team by tow goals in the final. A few years prior to World War 2 the club had some measure of success by the juniors, who carried off a few premierships in their respective sections. Many Coburg players have gained selection in Victorian teams and helped our state to hold the Garland McHarg Cup for many years. Written in 1950 "Our last player to gain interstate selection was Reg. Hinkley, who was Coburg's captain for many years and earned interstate selection after many good displays on the back line. In 1950 the secretary was N.K. Waite. The club moved ground in the late 1970s to the Coburg Velodrome, won a grand final in B grade circa 1981 and sadly ceased to be following season 1982. Another great player in the early years was Graham Reid, who was the first Coburg player to represent Australia in 1959 and won the Victorian best and fairest award in the early 1960's. |
| Further Information | |
COBURG