Our story started in 2013 when Mick Treen, now President and Darren Rathband, current Vice President, came together to talk about starting a local amateur soccer club in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
Mick and Darren got to know each other as Mick has been involved in local soccer for many years and officiated over local games at Seaford, where Darren was playing as goal keeper and later in the midfield. Mick set about locating a place to call home, this was difficult as Aldinga still has no purpose built soccer pitches in the area.
Thankfully we were able to forge a partnership with the Aldinga Football Club and we set about trying to find likeminded people to make the dream come true.
Kevin Pinchback accepted the challenge to become Treasurer and joined a small but eager and committed group.
Our first committee was formed without much experience and set about trying to get things moving towards the first season in division 4 of the SAASL, all we needed now were some players, kit, balls and everything else that goes with setting up teams for the league.
It was not long before the news was out and over 40 lads turned out for our first training session, the ball was literally in motion.
The Club still needed coaches and although we had in excess of 50 players signed, obtaining a coach for both teams this far south was proving difficult.
Darren stepped up and took the helm for coaching both teams, with Kevin Pinchback coming in later in the season to take the reserves under his wing. It was rumoured that Kevin Pinchback turned down a contract with the Hammers to take the reins.
Our first season competing in division 4 saw the senior team unbeaten for seven games and the reserves holding a good account in the early start of the season.
The emphasis on fitness although a topic of conversation amongst the players appeared to be paying off, along with some good football from a number of players.
The ethos at the club is; win, lose or draw, we do it together and as a team. We loved winning and when we lost our first game the team were devastated. However they picked themselves up and saw the seniors lose only three games throughout the season.
The result of our first season; we finished as runner ups in division 4 with the reserves holding their own and finishing mid table, with a healthy goal difference.
2014-2015 has seen the Club grow beyond anybody’s expectations, catching the Council off guard who are now actively playing catch up and trying to find us a permanent home.
We now see the inception of two youth teams who will play in the Saturday division 4 Amateur League, coached by Mick Beck who was a wealth of experience at both coaching and forensic engineering.
We quickly out grew the Oval and have negotiated a partnership with Aldinga Primary School to now play at the school. With their cooperation and positive outlook in regards to local sport we can now work towards bringing soccer to all ages in the area. Aldinga Sharks now take on board 3- 4 junior teams who have previously played in the Noarlunga league.
In our first year we also established the Beyond Blue Cup, a one day match with the Noarlunga soccer team which we won. Beyond Blue is a national programme working to reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and understanding. The day raised $1,500.00 which we donated to Beyond Blue. We aim to continue this annual event where both teams can continue to support this commendable cause.
Pictured right; Darren Rathband Vice President and Aldinga Sharks sponsor Barry Coombes of Aldinga Landscape toasting the win of the inaugural Beyond Blue Cup.
Aldinga Sharks are committed to supporting local worthy causes. During our first year a member of the Sharks team lost his sister, Erin Griffin to brain cancer. The Aldinga Sharks raised $3,500.00 on our Presentation Evening at the end of the season, which we proudly presented to Amanda Griffin, to assist Erin’s family who continue raising awareness of paediatric cancer worldwide.
Pictured top left; Gordon Morrison of Southern Pest Control, Aldinga Sharks sponsor, Top right; Chris Picton – local
Also pictured members of the Aldinga Sharks Committee and representatives of the Griffin family.
We are a new club with a short history, however we are very proud of what a few people can achieve in such a short period of time.
We welcome you to our page and look forward to seeing you down to support your local Soccer club.
We are the winning sharks
Yours in Sport
Darren Rathband
Vice President
Coach 2013-14
Mick and Darren got to know each other as Mick has been involved in local soccer for many years and officiated over local games at Seaford, where Darren was playing as goal keeper and later in the midfield. Mick set about locating a place to call home, this was difficult as Aldinga still has no purpose built soccer pitches in the area.
Thankfully we were able to forge a partnership with the Aldinga Football Club and we set about trying to find likeminded people to make the dream come true.
Kevin Pinchback accepted the challenge to become Treasurer and joined a small but eager and committed group.
Our first committee was formed without much experience and set about trying to get things moving towards the first season in division 4 of the SAASL, all we needed now were some players, kit, balls and everything else that goes with setting up teams for the league.
It was not long before the news was out and over 40 lads turned out for our first training session, the ball was literally in motion.
The Club still needed coaches and although we had in excess of 50 players signed, obtaining a coach for both teams this far south was proving difficult.
Darren stepped up and took the helm for coaching both teams, with Kevin Pinchback coming in later in the season to take the reserves under his wing. It was rumoured that Kevin Pinchback turned down a contract with the Hammers to take the reins.
Our first season competing in division 4 saw the senior team unbeaten for seven games and the reserves holding a good account in the early start of the season.
The emphasis on fitness although a topic of conversation amongst the players appeared to be paying off, along with some good football from a number of players.
The ethos at the club is; win, lose or draw, we do it together and as a team. We loved winning and when we lost our first game the team were devastated. However they picked themselves up and saw the seniors lose only three games throughout the season.
The result of our first season; we finished as runner ups in division 4 with the reserves holding their own and finishing mid table, with a healthy goal difference.
2014-2015 has seen the Club grow beyond anybody’s expectations, catching the Council off guard who are now actively playing catch up and trying to find us a permanent home.
We now see the inception of two youth teams who will play in the Saturday division 4 Amateur League, coached by Mick Beck who was a wealth of experience at both coaching and forensic engineering.
We quickly out grew the Oval and have negotiated a partnership with Aldinga Primary School to now play at the school. With their cooperation and positive outlook in regards to local sport we can now work towards bringing soccer to all ages in the area. Aldinga Sharks now take on board 3- 4 junior teams who have previously played in the Noarlunga league.
In our first year we also established the Beyond Blue Cup, a one day match with the Noarlunga soccer team which we won. Beyond Blue is a national programme working to reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and understanding. The day raised $1,500.00 which we donated to Beyond Blue. We aim to continue this annual event where both teams can continue to support this commendable cause.
Pictured right; Darren Rathband Vice President and Aldinga Sharks sponsor Barry Coombes of Aldinga Landscape toasting the win of the inaugural Beyond Blue Cup.
Aldinga Sharks are committed to supporting local worthy causes. During our first year a member of the Sharks team lost his sister, Erin Griffin to brain cancer. The Aldinga Sharks raised $3,500.00 on our Presentation Evening at the end of the season, which we proudly presented to Amanda Griffin, to assist Erin’s family who continue raising awareness of paediatric cancer worldwide.
Pictured top left; Gordon Morrison of Southern Pest Control, Aldinga Sharks sponsor, Top right; Chris Picton – local
Also pictured members of the Aldinga Sharks Committee and representatives of the Griffin family.
We are a new club with a short history, however we are very proud of what a few people can achieve in such a short period of time.
We welcome you to our page and look forward to seeing you down to support your local Soccer club.
We are the winning sharks
Yours in Sport
Darren Rathband
Vice President
Coach 2013-14