HISTORY OF THE PARK ORCHARDS FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
The original Park Orchards Junior Football Club was established in 1969 and was based at its current home ground of Domeney Reserve in Knees Road, Park Orchards. In 1984 the North Ringwood Parish Junior Football Club was established and in 1991 the two clubs merged to become the Park Orchards North Ringwood Parish Junior Football Club (PONRPJFC).
In 2001, the Sharks Auskick was launched and based at Stintons Reserve, Park Orchards. Since then, the junior club has grown to be one of the biggest junior clubs in the Yarra Junior Football League fielding boys and girls teams in every age group from U8’s through to Youth girls and boys.
In 2010 the junior club Committee decided to explore the option of commencing a senior club. A sub-committee was formed and a task force was established to investigate setting up a greenfield Park Orchards senior football club. In July 2010 the junior club Committee formally voted to establish a senior Park Orchards Football Club to compete in the EFL competition as it was then known.
In 2011 the Park Orchards Football Club commenced in Division 4 with an U18 team. The U18 team won a premiership in its very first year and senior and reserves teams were launched one year later in 2012. Since then, the club has experienced astonishing growth and on-field success progressing from Division 4 to Premier Division over the course of its short history. The club currently competes in Division 1 and is working hard to return to the Premier Division in the EFNL competition. The women’s team competes in the top Premier Division.
To date, the Club has won the following premierships:
1 x Senior Men’s Premiership(plus a Minor Premiership in 2021)
3 x Reserves Premierships(plus a Minor Premiership in 2021)
8 x Under 19 Premierships
1 x Women’s Team Premiership
The highlight so far has without doubt been the triple Premierships won in 2017 (Seniors, Reserves & U19’s) and the Women’s Premiership won in 2024.
In 2016 the Club entered teams for the first time in the EFNL netball competition and accordingly, changed its name to the Park Orchards Football Netball Club. The netball program has grown to a point where in 2025 the Club is fielding five teams in various divisions of the Friday night competition.
Underpinning the great success of the senior club is its relationship with the junior club. Through a strong pathway program to senior football, excellent coaching and player development, the club’s success has been built on the back of home-grown talent who have progressed through our junior program into senior football. In fact, on any given game day, over 75% of our senior team will typically be made up of Park Orchards juniors.
Whilst the on-field success of the Park Orchards Football Netball Club is undoubted, the true mission of the Club is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for local men and women to develop skills, build strong relationships and feel part of a supportive community. Under the guidance of a committed and hard-working committee, a number of dedicated volunteers and a united coaching and playing group, we are all committed to achieving this mission.
#Go Sharks
#Fearthebite