BOMADERRY TIGERS AFL
The Bomaderry AFL Club is an inclusive, successful and family friendly club with a proud culture that caters for males and females of all ages.
With a strong emphasis on commitment and hard work, the Tigers have built up a good name in the local community and are always looking for ways to improve the way they do things to promote the game both on and off the field.
Whilst participation & enjoyment is paramount, football is also about having fun, developing your skills and simply having a go. If you find any of these traits appealing and you would like to get involved, please contact the Club. It doesn’t matter how good you are, or where you come from, as long as you are keen to improve and want to be part of a team, then you, your family and your friends are always welcome at Artie Smith Oval.
In 2024 the Bomaderry Football Club has two men’s and one women’s team in the AFL South Coast Senior Competition. The Junior’s cater for children from 5-17 years old with teams in AUSKICK, Mixed U9s, U11s, U13s, Boy’s U15s & U17s and Girls U9s, U11s, U13s, U15s & U17s.
OUR HISTORY
The Bomaderry Australian Football Club (BAFC) was formed in late 1969 and entered the South Coast AFL competition in 1970. The Club’s original jumpers had long sleeves and were coloured yellow with a blue sash. Later, the Club adopted the Richmond Tigers colours of black with a yellow sash.
The Tigers commenced the 1970 season without a home ground or an official training venue. Initially, the Club utilised Thurgate Oval in Bomaderry as a training venue, before finally being allocated Artie Smith Oval as the Club’s home ground. Thanks to the assistance of its members, sponsors and the Shoalhaven Council, the Club’s facilities have improved significantly over the years and are now equal if not better than any other Clubs. Improvements include an improved playing surface, lighting on both sides of the oval, an electronic scoreboard, interchange & timekeeper huts, an awning and upgrades to the kitchen and clubhouse interior. The Clubhouse was officially opened in 1984 by the Honourable John Hatton.
On field success was heartbreaking in the early years with the Club denied success, losing three successive Grand Finals in First Grade from 1974 –76. Despite a Reserve Grade premiership in 1978, the drought continued until 1989 when the Tigers finally broke through to win their maiden First grade premiership. Since 1989 the Club has tasted further success, winning First Grade Flags in 1994, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, whilst Reserve Grade were also successful in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2010. Since the inception of the Juniors, the Tigers have had mixed success, however the 2012 U/18 premiership and the success of the U/16’s in 2013 were clearly a highlight.
In 2018 AFL South Coast introduced a Women’s Competition, whilst a mid-season re-structure saw the Tigers get relegated to Division 2 & 3. This was initially seen as a major setback, however it turned out a blessing in disguise as it gave the Club a chance to develop some of their juniors and be a bit more competitive with the Tigers going on to win all 3 Grades. 2019 saw the Tigers return to the top grade and whilst they have found the going a lot tougher, the Club continues to work hard and remains optimistic about it’s future.
The Bomaderry Club continually encourages players to strive for representative honours with many players having represented the South Coast AFL with distinction. It’s worth noting that the SCAFL won the NSW Country Championship three years in succession in the late 70’s, during which time, 6 Bomaderry players were selected in the NSW Country side to play Sydney which resulted in the selection of Graeme Charles to play for NSW against Fitzroy.
The formation of the Bomaderry Junior AFL Club in 2000 has not only helped promote AFL within the local community, but has been instrumental in the Club’s recent success. Whilst the Tigers have had plenty of gifted footballers over the years, we are no longer totally dependant on the Navy, with many of today’s list made up of locally developed juniors. This is far cry from days gone by and will hopefully ensure that the Club remains competitive for many years to come. WHOOA.
Register with the Bomaderry Tigers AFC
AFL is the game for everyone. If you're new to the game, want to play socially or hope to become an elite AFL sports star, you can find a version of AFL that's right for you here at Bomaderry Tigers AFC.
