Yesterday the NRMA Western Sydney Wanderers celebrated its first birthday.
Yesterday the NRMA Western Sydney Wanderers celebrated its first birthday.
One year ago the Wanderers were named and launched as the newest Hyundai A-League football club.
A club for the people of western Sydney and by the people of western Sydney.
Its inaugural year was incredible both on the field through football results and off the field through community involvement and galvanising the hearts and minds of the western Sydney region, the rich heartland and home of football.
On the field, the Wanderers won the Premiers Plate, contested the Grand Final and set the Hyundai A-League record for the most consecutive wins.
Off the field, the club continued to build meaningful relationships with its grassroots and community football family, key Government and corporate partners and its broader school and community stakeholders.
Consistent with its vision to enable its elite men, women and youth elite players to be the catalyst for true social impact and change across the western Sydney region – the club work vigorously to establish numerous community programs through school initiatives, multi-cultural activities and involvement with the football community at large.
In the lead up to yesterday-s first birthday, the Wanderers ran a 13 day countdown through their social media channels to capture the emotion and the journey of the club through the last 13 rounds of Season 12/13 – representing the 13 game unbeaten streak leading into the Grand Final.
Each day through this countdown, a player or club identity re-lived a moment from one of these 13 games that helped steer the history the club created.
Yesterday also marked the release of the next stage of membership renewals.
Foundation Memberships in year 1 were capped at just over 7000.
While Year 2 Foundation Membership renewals have only been open for a little over a fortnight, yesterday saw existing renewed Foundation Members given the option to join additional guests and saw the club hit an all-time record with over 2,050 Foundation Members renewing for season 2013/14 in just one day, surging current membership renewals to over 5,500.
The next stage of membership where the club will open itself up to new members will be announced on 4 July.
At one year old, the Wanderers journey has been relatively short in time but rich in achievements, community involvement and milestones including:
04 April 2012: Former CEO Ben Buckley announces the ‘New Sydney Club- will complete in next season-s Hyundai A-League. This took place as a Press Conference at Football NSW HQ in Glenwood – PM Julia Gillard and distinguished guests were present.
12 April 2012: First Fan Forum Meeting held at Mounties Club in Mount Pritchard with over 200 fans, football administrators and former Socceroos present.
03 May 2012: Final Fan Forum held in Bankstown with Lyall Gorman, Fox Sports commentator Mark Bosnich, former Brisbane Roar Captain Chad Gibson and former Marconi Stallions Coach Luke Casserly present.
09 May 2012: Voting opened for names and colours of the new club. This is recognised as a public vote for the third stage of the community consultation process.
17 May 2012: Lyall Gorman is appointed Executive Chairman with Tony Popovic joining the club as Head Coach.
22 May 2012: Ante Milicic assumes the role of Assistant Coach.
25 June 2012: Official club name. apparel partner Nike and club logo announced at Parramatta Stadium including three inaugural players – Aaron Mooy, Kwabena Appiah-Kubi and Tarek Elrich.
25 July 2012: 3,500 people watch the Wanderers in their first trial match against Nepean at Cook Park. Western Sydney won 5-0.
26 July 2012: NRMA Insurance announced as the club-s naming rights partner and Parramatta Stadium officially unveiled as home ground for the Wanderers.
21 Sept 2012: Michael Beauchamp announced as Club Captain.
28 Sept 2012: Japanese superstar Shinji Ono signs with the Wanderers as a Marquee player.
04 Oct 2012: Official unveiling and season launch for fans at Parramatta-s Prince Alfred Park.
06 Oct 2012: First Hyundai A-League game against last season-s Premiers Central Coast Mariners at Parramatta Stadium. 0-0 Draw.
20 Oct 2012: First Sydney Derby held at Parramatta Stadium against cross-city rivals Sydney FC. An Alessandro Del Piero penalty ensuring the Sky Blues got the points – brilliant atmosphere. 1-0 LOSS
27 Oct 2012: First win for the club against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium. A goal from Mark Bridge. 1-0 WIN
15 Dec 2012: Second Sydney Derby at SFS and the tables turned – goals to Hersi and Beauchamp ensure the Wanderers take the points back home to the West. 2-0 WIN
21 Dec 2012: Highest ever win for the club defeating Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium just before Christmas – Mark Bridge with a hat-trick. 6-1 WIN
20 Jan 2013 Beat Brisbane Roar. WIN 2-1. That was 3 wins from 3 encounters against the Champions through the season.
23 Jan 2013: Huge Westfield Appearance with full playing squad for fans.
02 Mar 2013: Became League Leaders with a massive win over the Mariners at Gosford courtesy through a late Labinot Haliti goal. Shocking conditions but over 5,000 Wanderers fans travelled for the match. WIN 1-0
04 Mar 2013: PM Julia Gillard visits Wanderers HQ and is presented with a club jersey. Congratulated the Wanderers for their achievements thus far.
16 Mar 2013: Wanderers win 10 Hyundai A-League games in a row – at AAMI Park over Melbourne Heart. WIN 3-1
29 Mar 2013: The club wins the Premier-s Plate in the last fixture of the regular season over Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium. Mark Bridge scores a brace which gave him 11 goals for the Wanderers.
Over 10,000 fans travel to Newcastle from western Sydney for this key moment in the club-s history. WIN 3-0.
12 Apr 2013: Wanderers triumph over Brisbane again in the Major Semi Final and earn their spot in the Grand Final. WIN 2-0
21 Apr 2013: Fairy-tale finish but no victory in the Grand Final as experience gets the better of the Wanderers – Central Coast Crowned Champions at a packed out SFS. LOSS 2-0.
35,000 Wanderers fans in attendance to celebrate their club-s proud first year in the Hyundai A-League.
23 Apr 2013: Parramatta City Council celebrate the Wanderers remarkable inaugural season with a magnificent street parade with fans and a Ceremony where the club is presented with the keys to the City of Parramatta.
24 Apr 2013: The Wanderers celebrate their incredible season with their inaguaral Medal evening with Players, Partners, Fans and Staff.
25 Apr 2013: Blacktown City Council celebrate the Wanderers amazing season by presenting the club with the keys to the City of Blacktown.
