Australian football custodians Granville Waratah FC are yet another football entity upon the NSW Local Sport Grant Program who are on the successful applicants list for a government funded grant.
The Waratah’s exhibit the rather unique, rich and extensive history, there is an argument that Granville is the birthplace of Australian football.
Upon the first ever recognised English rules football match being participated within the Granville area in the 1880s, following on from this newly founded code of football within Australia.
The Granville Magpies were formed in 1882, majority of the clubs founding players were of Scottish, English and Welsh descent.
Although currently based only 300 metres from the heart of Parramatta the club have remained true to its fabric, and have weathered any potential name change proposals on multiple occasions.
Throughout its extensive, historical and successful tenure of a football club, most significantly GWFC have produced three Socceroo’s within its existence.
Olympian and goalkeeper Bill Henderson was a player for the Waratah’s in the 1940s as a youth, throughout the 1950s Henderson would feature for Australia’s national side high in the pecking order as the Socceroo’s shot stopper.
Most notably, Henderson would represent Australia at the 1956 Olympics on our own backyard.
Much to the elation of the clubs historic success, in order to continue its esteemed growth into modernity.
It has found a new influx of financial revenue, working in conjunction with the City of Parramatta council.
A $20,000 grant on behalf of the NSW government has been awarded to the club, who intend on investing the newly established financial gain into the development of grassroots programs, through the upgrade of the clubs current facilities.
In accordance to the NSW Local Sport Grant Program website, the brief GWFC disclosed the following.
“Granville Waratah intends to take the lease on Garside Park and make grass roots sports available to a large area, with increasing population that currently has limited access. This grant is to help fund the start-up costs of this.”
Understanding the rapid growth football has experienced since the pandemic, a club in whom has established itself upon the nation as historians of the sport are seeking to carve a new edge within their history.
