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Hamilton Azzurri FC

Hamilton Azzurri FC is an Italian-Australian Association football club playing in the third tier (Newcastle Zone Premier League) of the Northern NSW Football region, Australia.

Quick Facts: Full name, Nickname(s) ...

Full Name

Hamilton Azzurri Football Club

Nickname(s)

the People’s Club

Founded

1962

Ground

Smith Park

Capacity

150

Coordinates

President

League

NNSWF Zone Premier League

2019

2nd

Website

Contents

1 History

2 Smithy to Surf

3 Honours

4 References

History[edit]

In 1962 a group of Italian migrants decided to have an informal kick around on, what would soon be known as the spiritual home of football in Newcastle, Smith Park in Hamilton. These Italian Australians all had a love and passion for the beautiful game of football and after taking a proposal for a new club to the local association, in 1963 Hamilton Azzurri was born.

In 1969 Hamilton Azzurri were not only playing in the Northern NSW Football premier division, they also won the Championship in what was described as a "photo finish" by journalist Jack Mathews.[1]. Hamilton Azzurri defeated Toronto-Awaba in a tight game 1–0 to finish the season on 29 points (11 wins, 7 draws and 4 defeats)

In the 1970s after purchasing land in Highfields the Azzurri club split. Hamilton Azzurri remained Hamilton Azzurri while Highfields Azzurri continued in the premier divisions and are now known as Charlestown Azzurri FC [2].

Hamilton Azzurri continued with all-age teams and junior teams however did not feature in the top divisions. In 2015 an All-Age J team applied to the Zone Leagues, starting in Zone League Three (the 6th division in Northern NSW Football). The club has since been promoted 3 times (once climbing 2 divisions) and now find themselves in the Newcastle Zone Premier League (3rd division) for the 2020 season.

Smithy to Surf[edit]

Hamilton Azzurri, a Newcastle football institution completed a months long charity event for lifeline which raised a total of $27,000 over May 2020.

This culminated in Smithy to Surf. This is a 10 kilometre challenge and part of Hamilton Azzurri's “Answer the Call” campaign with socially distanced groups of players and supporters running from Smith Park to Nobby's – raising awareness for Lifeline Newcastle and Central Coast.

“We thought, let’s put this to good use, and then we heard for Lifeline, they actually had a reduction, I think it was about 60 per cent, in their revenue, because of all their shops closing. And at the same time, they had an increase in about 25 to 30 per cent in phonecalls, as you can imagine during these times. We thought, what better way to raise some money for a great cause?” – Jim Sneesby, Hamilton Azzuri FC.[3]

Honours[edit]

1969 - Northern NSW Football Premier Division Championship (Premiers)

2017 - Zone League Three Premiers and Champions (promoted to Zone League One)

2019 - Zone League One Premiers (promoted to Newcastle Zone Premier League)

References[edit]

↑ Mathews, Jack (09-01-1969). "Azzurri Wins Soccer Pennant in Close Finish" (22). Newcastle Morning Herald.

↑ Azzurri, Charlestown. "Club History".

↑ https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2020/05/31/newcastle-football-club-raises-awareness-for-lifeline/