Gungahlin Jets Celebrate 40th Anniversary
40 years on since the club’s inaugural season in 1982, in which the formerly named East Canberra Australian Football Club defeated RMC by 13 points to be crowned premiers in the MAFL 2nd Division, the Gungahlin Jets welcomed back their past players, coaches, and volunteers over the weekend as the club celebrated their 40th anniversary.
Gungahlin Jets Senior President Brandon Hardwicke spoke on the 40th anniversary celebrations.
“The history of the club and its people are what have shaped it to be the great community it is in 2022. Being able to celebrate 40 years of the Gungahlin (East Canberra) Jets have been a great reminder of just how many people have played a part in building what we do have.
“For us to be able to bring a vast range of those people together, from founding members… to players, coaches, and volunteers from across the four decades was a really special moment.”
Hardwicke also explained how recognising the past reminds the present to contribute to pushing the club forward.
“Whilst we celebrated the past it gave us a chance to reflect on the present and future, and it reminds us that as the current custodians of the club we have a responsibility to keep driving forward.”
A big day for the clubs past spelled an even bigger day for the clubs present with both the Senior Men and Women teams took on Tuggeranong Valley at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval as the Men looked to keep their season alive, whilst the Women searched for their first win of the season.
The Jets Senior Men led Tuggeranong at every quarter break, running out as 17-point victors in what was a dominant display propelling them to 5th on the 2022 AFL Canberra First Grade Men ladder, and one win out of a finals position. Although the Senior Women were not so lucky on the day as they were defeated by some margin.
To make the events even more special for the Jets, the senior teams were welcomed by the club’s future, as Harrison Kirkwood and his U10’s teammates joined the men’s pre-game in the rooms and were there to cheer the boys onto the field whilst the club participated in the Fight MND round.
To support Harrison and his little brother Hayden in their DIY Big Freeze fundraising efforts to Fight MND head to: https://hub.fightmnd.org.au/…/hayden-and-harrison-kirkwood
Written By: Robbie Stewart
