CLUB HISTORY
The Birth of Balcatta FC
In the park of St. Lawrence Church, Main Street, Balcatta, a group of friends started to kick a soccer ball to end the boredom of the Sunday afternoons. Little did they know that this was the beginning of Balcatta Etna Soccer Club. Within a short time the number of friends who wanted to play soccer grew dramatically as did the number of spectators.
The much-developed interest between the group of friends brought about the idea of forming a soccer team, and within several days a committee was formed. The majority of members were originally from a town called Ucria (province of Messina), Sicily. This being the case, it was decided to call the newborn club by a Sicilian symbol “Etna” being the largest volcano in Europe. After several months of preparation, the club was accepted as a member of the Soccer Federation of Western Australia and became officially known as Balcatta Etna Soccer Club.
In the first year, 1978, playing at the new home ground, Reader Reserve in Hector St, Mt Yokine. Etna acquired fifth position on the ladder. In the second year, 1979, Etna finished seventh position on the ladder. In the same year, a ladies committee was formed and a house was rented at 70 McDonald Street, Osborne Park for use as clubrooms.
The 80s
In 1980, a youth committee was formed for the purpose of helping promote the club. The management committee decided to strengthen the team and with the addition of new players, promotion was achieved from 4th to 3rd Division.
In 1982 the club amalgamated with the Balcatta Cats Junior Soccer Club, which led to expansion of the club. It was decided that a larger ground was needed to accommodate the increase in numbers and in 1985, the club was granted approval to use Grindleford Reserve. For the following two years the club maintained a strong position in the senior rankings and the junior teams increased rapidly.
In 1987 the management committee decided to amalgamate with Perth Azzurri Soccer Club (now Perth SC) and East Fremantle Tricolore Soccer Club (now Fremantle City Football Club) and after numerous meetings and discussions the Perth Italia Soccer Club was formed. Representatives from all 3 clubs strongly contributed in establishing the finest soccer facilities in Western Australia at Dorrien Gardens.
The 90's
From 87-90 Balcatta Etna did not field any senior teams and concentrated on promoting and improving the junior teams. In 1991, the management committee decided to enter a senior team to play in the Professional Soccer 3rd Division Competition. With the introduction of new coaches, players and an existing strong juniors camp.
However, the clubrooms, which were built on a rubbish dump, were literally sinking into the ground. Walls started to crack and in 1994 discussions commenced with the local council to build new clubrooms. 1994 was a historic year in that the management committee decided to change the club's name to Balcatta Soccer Club. The seniors finished the season in 2nd position and were promoted to the 2nd Division.
In 1996, the senior’s team was promoted to the 1st Division and the committee’s main goal was to successfully complete the new clubrooms. With the assistance of the local council, club sponsors and dedicated committee members, the new clubrooms were completed and officially opened in 1997. 1998 was successful year on the park, with the seniors team qualifying for the semi-finals in the Night Series and achieving runners up in the final of the West Ham United FC Cup.
Promotion and the NPL
The 2000's brought the next phase in the club’s history, which has become it’s most successful period. In 2008 Balcatta Soccer Club won the Football West Night Series beating Canning City 2-1 in extra time in the final playing with 10 men for over 105 minutes. In 2009 Balcatta Soccer Club won promotion to the state premier league for the first time in the clubs history under the careful eye of coach Salv Todaro. Within two years of promotion the club landed the biggest prize in Western Australian football winning the 2011 premier league under coach Michael Roki.
In 2013 the club changed its name from Balcatta Soccer Club to Balcatta FC. In 2014 Football West rebranded the State Premier League into the NPL (National Premier League) of which Balcatta FC was a inaugural member for both senior and junior football. The club also completed major renovations and its new grandstand, opened by then State Premier Colin Barnett, in 2014 along with introducing its Academy program for 11's-18s and the Soccer Bambini Program for 3-5's.
Trophies & Achievements
Premier Division
Champions 2011
First Division
Champions 2009
First Division Night Series
Champions 2008
Second Division
Champions 1981
Runners Up 1994