COMMON GROUND

Albert Park has long been hallowed turf for the South Melbourne District Sports Club, a community organisation celebrating sport and volunteers.

The South Melbourne District Sports Club can be likened to a fine wine – one which just gets better with age. From nurturing VFL and AFL stars to expanding the club to include athletics and cricket, the red and white Districts welcome participation at all levels – on the field and on the sidelines.

One of the oldest football clubs to play in our region, the South Melbourne Districts Amateur Football Club was formed in 1912 but its origins can be traced back to the Pembroke Juniors who played in the mid 1890s.

The South Districts were closely associated with the South Melbourne Swans (now the Sydney Swans), and community spirit has kept the club’s heart beating. In the late 1920s the South Districts donated 40 Guineas to the South Melbourne Swans to stop them from folding.

A feeder club to the AFL, the South Districts have seen their share of footy stars, most notably Keith Forbes, Jack "Basher" Williams and Roy Cazaly.

In recent years, the club has broadened its focus to community sport, celebrating all levels of participation in a variety of fields.

President Tony Pilimon explains.

"We are a community based club that provides opportunities for players of all ages to participate," Tony says. "We are all about participation and inclusion.

More than 1000 juniors and 100 seniors take part in junior and senior football, junior and Milo cricket, senior and Little Athletics. In 2017 the club hopes to establish a senior women’s AFL team.

"We are always on the lookout for members of the community to stay involved in local sport, even when they retire, by participating in committees and volunteering which gives others the opportunity to play sport," Tony says.

The club has been able to survive all these years through the generous support of people’s time and also by financial contributions from the local community.

A local resident and former VFL St Kilda footballer, Geoff Cayzer is passionate about sport. When South Districts families sell their homes with Cayzer Real Estate, 5 per cent of the commission will be donated back to the club.