After a few tough COVID-19 and flood-affected years Byron Magpies AFC is celebrating the club’s 40-year anniversary in 2024.
The club returns to the Gold Coast-based QFA Division 2 South Competition in season 2024, after winning the 2023 men’s premiership in the NSW AFL North Coast competition, under the guidance of coach and former AFL star Andrew Swallow.
That was the 18th men’s premiership in the club’s history, to go with two women’s premierships.
The women will also return to the Gold Coast in 2024 after playing in the QFA Women’s Competition.
Club president Nick Rojo said the Magpies had come a long way.
‘We’ve had to rebuild the club from the ground up, which we have managed to do thanks to the dedication and passion of our committee, players and volunteers,’ Rojo said.
‘The 40-year anniversary is a great way to celebrate the resilience and community spirit of our region. We might get knocked down, but we’re never out.’
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the club is encouraging former players to get down to home games and reconnect with the club.
The women’s team will play its first home game at the Cavanbah Centre on 13 April, while the men’s first game at the Cavanbah will be on 18 May.
The club’s first game of season, playing as the Southern Stingrays, a joint venture with the Ballina Bombers, did not go as planned when they travelled to Burleigh last weekend.
The home side won 23.17-155 to the Southern Stingrays 6.5-41
The Reserves faired worse going down 190–1.
