It might still be summer, but now is the time to get organised for winter sports, and to sign up to play soccer, netball or rugby this winter. The Epping area has an array of community sports clubs for all ages and grades – from 4 year old mini Socceroos through to walking netballers.

Community Bank Epping has been a long-time supporter of many clubs running winter sports through sponsorship and grants, including substantial amounts for capital works. For 2024, this will include new canteen facilities at Boronia Park Epping (home of Epping Eastwood FC) and Ron Payne Oval in North Epping (one of the grounds used by North Epping Rangers).

Most clubs have their registrations open from early January through to around mid-February. Here’s a few helpful tips for making your choice, and a list of local clubs with links to their sites:

Helpful Tips:

• Many clubs have early bird discounts – but these usually finish at the end of January so don’t miss out
• If you have an Active Kids Voucher from the second half of 2023, these can still be accepted up to the end of January against the cost of a child’s registration – an easy way to save $50!
• Many clubs offer family discounts for multiple registrations, or payment plans
• Some clubs will have specific Registration Days where you can go along to chat to coaches and committee members
• There is big demand for some teams/age bands – so get in early for your club of choice
• Some teams/ages/sports will have grading days
• Most clubs train weekly at local sports fields, but weekend games may be out of area
• Get involved! Clubs can only run with people stepping up as team managers and coaches and it can be very rewarding. Clubs also need to supply sufficient umpires for games to operate. And then there is always the canteen roster …

Local Club information

Soccer

• North Epping Rangers (NER) – registration opened 3 January at https://ner.org.au/football/pricing

• Epping Eastwood FC (Tigers) – registration now open here

• Epping FC – registration is now open at https://www.eppingfootballclub.com.au/index.php/registration

• Beecroft FC (the Wombats) – registration opened 3 January at https://www.playfootball.com.au/register

• Eastwood St Andrews FC – registration open here

• Roselea FC – registration is now open at https://www.roseleafc.com/registration

• Macquarie Dragons FC – registration has opened

Netball

• North Epping Rangers (NER) – Registration is now open and will close on 10 February – go to https://ner.org.au/netball/

• Beecroft Netball Club – registration is open now and there will be a Registration Day on 3 February at Cheltenham Oval. Info here: https://www.beecroftnetball.com.au/registration

• Carlingford Flames Netball club – registration now open via website

• Carlingford Netball Club – registration is open at https://www.carlingfordnetball.com.au/registrations-2024

• Marsfield Bluebelles – Registration now open on their website

• St Andrews Netball Club – Registration is open at http://standrewsnetball.com.au/registration/

Rugby Union

• Epping Rams – See their Facebook page for information on pre-season training and contact them via Messenger.