Junior Northern Bombers History:

HISTORY:

In 1968, the Mini league concept was introduced with boys under the age of 12 playing at senior matches during half time. North Launceston Junior Football Club fielded a Mini League Team with Syd Books and Peter Gunton as coaches. The Northern Tasmanian Junior Football Association was introduced in 1975. From fielding two teams in the first year of competition to ten teams in 2007, North Launceston Junior Football Club has evolved significantly and remains as one of the bigger if not the biggest club in Launceston.

2009
This was again a great year for North Launceston Junior Football Club. On the ground, we fielded a strong and promising Auskick program, Under 9s – two teams, Under 10s – two teams, a strong Under 11s team, Under 12s, Under 13s, Under 14s and Under 16s.

The Auskickers were a lively bunch of boys and had great support from some Northonians and notorious footballers introducing their kids to football. It was really great to see all the parents helping and supporting our Auskick Coach. The Kids thrived on the involvement, a few muddy days and a celebration at the end of the season.

Our Under 9s to Under 11s continued to play at the Brooks venue each Sunday. Some very talented footballers are being fostered in this age group by our dedicated volunteer coaches.

The Under 12s played almost undefeated this year with a berth in the Grand Final losing in a closely fought battle for the flag against Prospect. Under13s went all the way to the semi finals playing their last game in the second round of finals in atrocious weather conditions at Longford. Under 14s also went to the Grand Final round but were also defeated and came in as Runners Up to Prospect. Our Under 16 side for 2009 was predominantly first year Under 16 players and gained a lot of experience against sides with older players which will stand them in good stead for 2010.

Off the field in 2009, we had some hard workers in the fundraising department with profits from our home ground canteen and running the Brooks venue canteen being allocated to the development of our club. In 2010, we hope to see the development of facilities which we will be able to use for the Juniors of North Launceston at Invermay Park coinciding with the further development of Aurora Stadium.

This year, our players benefited from the fundraising activities driven by our board with the provision of jackets, socks, shorts for players as well as maintaining our stock of jumpers. We have an expanding array of resources to enhance the development of our player fitness and skills which again we owe thanks to the extra fundraising done by our team of parents, friends and family.

Our football club continues to foster some great footballers who are keen, friendly, talented and dedicated with the support of their parents, coaches, and all the other people that make this a great club to be involved with. Thanks to all concerned in 2009.

2008
This year saw the Introduction of an Under 10 competition. We fielded 2 sides as well as 2 Under 9 and Under 11 sides in the Junior competition. Boys had ample opportunity to practice their skills and develop as team players and members of our great club. We think that they will be formidable opponents in the years to come. Watch this space!!

The older boys earnt a bit of respect too with Under 12s playing down to the wire in the grand final to be narrowly defeated by Prospect who notched up their first premiership. The Under 13s worked their way up to the semi final whilst the Under 14s finished their season in the elimination final.

Whilst we had enough players in 2007 for two teams in the oldest age groups, numbers dropped off in the older players, and ended up with an Under 16 side that was made up of mostly 14/15 year olds who were eligible to play In an Under 15 side. This is to take nothing away from the gutsy efforts put in by the whole side during the season.

Go Bombers!!

2007
The club has grown significantly as the interest in football grows and grows. With the competition having to be separated in 2007 due to sheer numbers of players particularly in the lower age divisions, North Launceston fielded 2 Under 9 teams and 3 Under 11 Teams. A fixed venue concept was introduced with these teams playing most of their games either at Scotch Oakburn Park or Harley Parade in Prospect.

Meanwhile, as clubs had pushed to reinstate the Under 15 competition, North fielded Under 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s. However South Launceston was the only other club to field and Under 15 Team.

With enough players for two teams and two groups of boys who had for the most part played their footy together as a team since Under 12s, in consultation with the boys themselves and parents, we fielded two teams in the Under 16 Competition one team being Under 15 players and the other Under 16 Players.

With the determination and resilience, our players kept going. It was a hard year for the Under 15s playing against players who were older than they were but they held their heads high and played till the siren sounded on their last game for the season. With terrific club support and encouragement from coaches, parents and other players, they stand proud with their “never say die” attitude.

The Under 12s progressed through the season to bow out in a very close game against Prospect in the first semi final. The Under 13s fought it out till the preliminary finals, the Under 14s were runners up to South Launceston in the Grand Final and the Under 16s gave the Launceston Players some tough competition in the Grand Final played under lights at Aurora Stadium to also come in as runners up.





Bombers Song