Members of a hinterland football club are relishing a $1.7 million upgrade to facilities.
Players, officials and supporters at Nambour Yandina United have welcomed a range of features at the club’s North Street base at Yandina.
The revamp includes new public amenities, four new change rooms, improved access for all abilities, a separate area for umpires and a first aid room.
The refurbished clubhouse also boasts a new club administration office and uniform store, with a solar system to offset electricity costs.
The project, supported by Sunshine Coast Council, provides a boost to the club and the weekend Yandina Community Markets, which it hosts.
The Harths, a proud Reds footy family, were among those to welcome the improvements.
Peter Harth, a former president of the club, detailed the family’s involvement at the Reds.
“My four sons Michael, Stephen, David and Gary all played for NYU, my grandsons Jono and Michael Harth play in the Premier League men’s team and my great-grandson Ari Harth plays in the Mini Roos,” he said.
“I remember back in my time with the club, our first dressing room was over in the old cricket shed and was simply two trucks we used for change rooms.
“The new clubhouse is something to see, in my lifetime, from what we started with. I’m looking forward to seeing my great-grandson Ari enjoying the new facilities.”
Lifetime club member Peter O’Keefe also has a multi-generational legacy with the Reds.
Peter’s three children Bonnie, Lachlan and Quinn O’Keefe all started out as juniors in the club and are now playing and coaching for the Reds.
Peter’s son Quinn was in the first team as NYU to win a grand final, and his grandson Jack O’Keefe is now playing his first season in the Mini Roos.
NYU was formed in 1997, bringing together two great earlier clubs, the Nambour Reds (founded in 1974) and the Yandina Eagles (founded in 1976).
The club is affiliated with Sunshine Coast Football and Football Queensland, and has players in junior and senior divisions.
Councillor David Law stressed the importance of sport and active recreation at a grassroots level.
“Participation in sport and active recreation has significant benefits for our health and our social connection and is an economic boost for our community,” he said.
“These improvements to the Nambour Yandina United Football Club facility are enthusiastically welcomed by the local sporting community in Nambour and Yandina.
“The club is recognised for its dedicated players and passionate supporters, and what a fantastic facility this now is, enabling even more people to get involved in local sports.
“This new clubhouse is a home to be proud of, for all NYU players and supporters.”
Club president Jeff McColl said club members were excited about their new clubhouse and facilities, which coincided with the Nambour Reds 50th anniversary celebrations.
“The new facilities couldn’t have come at a better time, as we have more than 350 players plus officials, coaches, managers and spectators, and we’re still growing,” he said.
“These updated facilities are a major step for our club development, with many new players and programs including an excellent girls’ program that achieved Football Australia’s Star 1 Club Changer recognition, and we’ve engaged the teams with a technical director, goal keeping coaching, junior coach development and field maintenance.
“We have a large supporter base and I am sure everyone will be proud of our new facilities.
“We look forward to hosting many Reds home games in our new clubhouse.”
The council provided funding of more than $1 million and partnered with the federal government, which contributed $400,000 through its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and the state government, which provided $204,000.
The club also contributed $33,000 to support the project.
State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said he was delighted to see the works come to completion.
“With the huge increase in female participation in sports across the Coast, this upgrade could not have come at a better time,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing the benefits the upgraded clubhouse brings, not only to NYU FC, but to the wider community as well.”
Help us deliver more news by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
