Jervois Football Club celebrates 100 years

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Jervois Football Club members have commemorated 100 years of sport in their rural community with a weekend-long celebration – and a big win over their fiercest rival.

The Bluds got up 10.15 (75) to 7.8 (50) over Imperials in the A grade on Saturday, and won in three of the four other grades, in front of a crowd of thousands comparable to any grand final.

Players wore special-edition JFC guernseys made for the occasion.

Afterwards, Lachlan Thomas was named best on ground and awarded a one-off centenary medal.

But that was only the beginning – the party ran long into the night, and continued with a family fun day the next day.

A cross-laying ceremony in memory of past members now departed gave emotional weight to the occasion.

Cassie Brion, Owen Love and the Sisters Singers gave a stirring performance of I Am Australian in English and Ngarrindjeri.

Then the reminiscing considered with a food truck lunch and presentations in the newly freshened-up clubrooms.

All in all, it had been a successful weekend, centenary committee chair Michelle Hill said.

Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley unveiled a plaque recognising the donation of the paddock which had become Jervois Oval by his great grandfather, Oscar Flavel, in 1926.

Framed photos were put up for the two Jervois footballers to make it into the South Australian National Football League Hall of Fame: Bruce Schulz, a Norwood star of the 1930s, and Daryl Hicks OAM, who won four premierships while starring for Sturt in the 1960s before a long career in coaching and administration.

Members of the Lokan family also presented to the club the three consecutive Mail Medals won by Geoff in 1962-64.

But no team of the century was announced, and by choice.

“We try not to be too individual at Jervois,” Ms Hill said.

“It’s more about winning premierships and doing things as a club.

“It’s about us, together, as a community.”

With 44 premierships across all grades over the past hundred years, the Bluds had done alright, club patron Denis Hicks said.

“We’re a club that shouldn’t be here, but because of our success, we are,” he said.

For young men, in particular, the footy club was the best home they could have: somewhere they’d find support if they were having a rough time at home, from mates and role models.

“The beauty of this club is we’re an inclusive, family club,” he said.

“Everybody is important, whether you’re the biggest no-hoper or the best bloke in town, and no-one’s better than anyone else.”

That culture was why so many people chose to come from Murray Bridge and elsewhere to play at Jervois, Ms Brion said.

“I just love the family orientation and how welcoming it is,” she said.

“We have so many different backgrounds and cultures and families and stories … lots of great people.”

As someone who played elsewhere before joining the Bluds four years ago, Mr Thomas – the medallist – said he could understand how outsiders might consider the club’s culture polarising.

“It’s a tight-knit community,” he said.

“You don’t get it until you’re a part of it.

“When you’re part of it, it’s like a family.”

It’s a family that has prospered over the generations, too, despite having made its home in a community with a population of just 250.

It’s a club that has fended off at least two attempted mergers – one with Tailem Bend, one with Redlegs.

And judging by the strength of the bonds shared over the weekend, it’s an institution that will endure for many years to come.