Cronulla RSL Soccer Club

Soccer with approximately 650 players is the Youth Clubs largest activity. It fielded its first team in 1960 in the under 12’s. Growth was rapid and in 1961 there were seven teams from under 8 to under 14 playing for RSL. The first home ground was Woolooware oval, which was shared with Cronulla Seagulls.

Our first President was Frank Falson, who in 1963 coached the first Sutherland Shire representative team (Under 10) to a Metropolitan and State Championship. RSL Soccer was later allocated their own ground at Captain Cook when the tip at the end of Gannons Road was closed and partially filled. During the period 1967-72 the Club was involved in major work on the ground with the installation of the water supply, power poles with floodlights and the laying of turf cut from the creek beds complimented by kikuyu runners from Club members’ own lawns. Those involved remember well Bert Peachey and his rescue from the bottom of a hole, which had been dug for lighting at the southern end.

Bert had been overcome by methane gas emanating from the tip beneath the sand. Bert recovered, but this story will be forever remembered. Over the years Club stalwarts like Alf Uptin, Fred Glover, Michael Byrne, John Cuciti and Barry Milton have put countless hours into maintaining the ovals.