ABOUT THE CLUB
Football began in the area prior to World War I . Some matches were played in Pennas paddock at the rear of South Hummocks Methodist Church and although not level and some trees having to be grubbed it provided the basis for football in later years.
After World War I, one or two matches were played a mile south of the Bumbunga Railway Station. Teams competing that year were Kainton, Kulpara, Paskeville and South Hummocks. More matches were played in 1919 at the rear of the Church followed by a shift to Maxwells paddock and then to Taylors paddock from 1922 to 1925.
Eventually a permanent home was found when the South Hummocks Recreation Ground was established in 1926. Colours were changed to white shirts with a red band in 1921 or 1922 to red and white. The change to yellow and black came about in the period 1923 to 1924 and remained until the club went out of existence in 1963.
In the late 1920’s competing were Arthurton, Bute Seconds, Lochiel, Price, Port Wakefield and South Hummocks. As Nantawarra has never had a football team many players came to form the backbone of the club as population in the South Hummocks area declined. It is known a football Football began in the area prior to World War I. Some matches were played in Pennas Paddock at the rear of the South Hummocks Methodist Church and although team existed at Bowmans in the 1910’s and 1920’s and “Werocata Station” had a team in the early part of the century.
Teams to the west of the Hummocks Range proved too strong and it was not until 1932 that a “day of glory” arrived for the club, South Hummocks on the Bute Oval defeated Kulpara 8 goals 8 behinds to 8 goals 7 behinds to become Premiers.
After World War II a vast change occurred in the teams of the Association with home matches shifted to the Nantawarra Oval until amalgamation in 1964 with Lochiel. Teams comprised Bute seconds, Melton, Port Wakefield and South Hummocks with Watchman refused admission due to petrol rationing. In the period from 1946 until the Association was disbanded in 1963 the South Hummocks Club won 9 of the 15 premierships played. In 1947 Bute seconds withdrew and Watchman were admitted and new Club Hoyleton entered the competition in 1951 and Lochiel returned in 1953 later to change their name to Lochiel/Snowtown.
The northern Western Association ceased to exist in 1963 with Watchman, Port Wakefield and South Hummocks joining the Adelaide Plains Football league. When this happened South Hummocks and Lochiel amalgamated to be known and Hummocks – United with colour of red, white and blue and became known as the “bulldogs”.
Initital teams were Balaklava, Hummocks United, Lochiel (this was a disjointed club with any periods when no team existed – first matches played by Lochiel were in 1910 against Cameron, Barunga Gap and Mount Templeton with colours of black and white – the club again reformed in 1926 with colours of green and gold – reformed again in 1953 with colours of black and white) Mallala, Owen, Port Wakefield (matches began here last century playing to the east in the Wooroora Association and on many occasions players and supporters travelled by train) United (amalgamation of Long Plains and Dublin) and Watchman (began in 1920s and amalgamated with Auburn and called Watchman-Auburn from 1975)
Several changes have occurred since with Two Wells/Virginia competed 1970-73, Owen and Port Wakefield combining 1974-76 to become the Port-Owen Hawks
In 1972 all home matches were played at Lochiel and at about this time the Lochiel Progress Association turfed the oval. Further changes have occurred over the years. Mundoora – Wokurna competed 1981-83, Hamley Bridge joined 1984, Roseworthy College joined 1981 – 1997. Local Clubs Hummocks United and Watchman – Auburn amalgamated in 1985 and in 1995 and then amalgamated with Port wakefield to be known and Hummocks Watchman Eagles Football Club. It means with amalgamations we have seen the demise of Auburn, Hummocks United, Lochiel, Port Wakefield, South Hummocks, Watchman and Watchman Auburn Football Clubs.
The area now extends from Port Wakefield, through South Hummocks to Lochiel, then easterly to the Auburn Hills, returning through Watchman and southerly to take in Bowmans and the Proof and Experimental Range south of Port Wakefield.
Since the last amalgamation matches are shared equally between the Lochiel and Port Wakefield ovals. In late 2004 a huge expansion took place at the Port Wakefield oval with the demolishing of the clubrooms, grandstand and catering facilities. A large building for players and entertainment has been established in readiness for the 2005 season.
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