Macarthur Rams FC
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| Full name | Macarthur Rams Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Rams | |
| Founded | 1984 | |
| Ground | Lynwood Park | |
| Capacity | 20,000 | |
| Chairman | Darcy Lound | |
| Coach | Lee Sterrey | |
| League | NPL NSW 2 | |
| Website | Club home page | |
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Macarthur Rams F.C. is an Australian soccer team based in Campbelltown, New South Wales. The club currently competes in the second division National Premier Leagues NSW 2, and is based in Lynwood Park. The Rams were the NPL NSW Mens 2 Soccer League 2014 champions.
History
The idea of forming a football association south of the crossroads at Liverpool was first discussed in 1979 and the Macarthur District Soccer Football Association was formed in 1983. In 1984, it became an incorporated body within Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly municipalities.
In the Association's inaugural year, 20 clubs were registered: Bradbury Ambarvale, Burragorang, Camcraft, Camden Tigers, Campbelltown City, Campbelltown Police Boys, Campbelltown Collegians, Campbelltown Districts (now Gunners United), Campbelltown RSL, Eschol Park, Ingleburn RSL, Johnson & Johnson & K Lions (now Leppington Lions), Macarthur Raiders, Macquarie Fields United (now Fields United), Minto, Narellan, Tahmoor Nepean Rovers, Picton Rangers and Ruse. Thirteen clubs moved from the Southern Districts Association, three clubs from the Southern Highlands Association and five new clubs were formed.
Since the Association's inception some clubs have been dissolved and made way for new clubs. The most recent clubs in the Association are Appin, Camden Falcons Soccer Club, Campbelltown Southern Districts, Campbelltown Uniting Church, St Mary's Eaglevale, Douglas Park, Campbelltown Condors, East Campbelltown, Mount Annan and Harrington Park. The 25 clubs make the Association strong, providing football for some 8,000 players and officials.
Over the years, the clubs have supported the Super League outside the control of the MDSFA with some success. In 1987, Campbelltown City Soccer Club and Campbelltown Districts Soccer Club joined, forming Campbelltown City and Districts Soccer Club, opening the possibility for negotiations between the Federation club of the area and the MDSFA. This led to an agreement between the MDSFA and Campbelltown City and Districts Soccer Club on the change in colours of both uniforms, which made an identifiable step of furthering soccer and providing a career path for better players. Campbelltown City and Districts played out of Bensley Road Complex and the Junior Representative Teams (Junior and Youth League) played out of Lynwood Park, St Helen's Park, which is now the Headquarters and home ground of the Association. The Super League and the Association colours were changed to grey tops, maroon shorts and maroon socks.
Local soccer pioneer Ron Dine died in 1986. Although Dine never served on the Association as a Committee member, he was involved as a consultant and through award seasons. Ponderosa Park (formerly the home of the Association) was renamed Ron Dine Memorial Reserve in his honour.
During the 1991 season, the Campbelltown City and Districts Soccer Club approached the MDSFA to discuss the transfer of their Federation team to the control of the Association. Upon reaching agreement the Association approached the NSW Soccer Federation to ratify the agreement. From the 1992 season, the Macarthur Rams became the Federation team representing the Association, which boosted the profile of soccer in the Macarthur area and provided a goal for the young players in the District and a career path for the more talented players.
For the 2008 season, the Macarthur Rams will compete in the NSW Premier League competition for both Senior Men's and Youth League. The Association entered teams in the Metropolitan League which caters for Under 11's and 12's.
During the 2013 season, the club competed in the National Premier Leagues.