Macarthur will once again be represented at the highest AFL level in NSW with the Camden Cats promoted to the Premier Division competition for the 2018 season.
And the Cats have declared they won’t be in the top tier just to make up the numbers.
Camden president Joshua Leys says the club is extremely excited about the opportunity to play Premier Division football next year.
“We are immensely proud to have achieved this promotion, which we believe recognises our efforts over the last five years in achieving sustained on field and off field success,’’ Mr Leys said.
“It is also recognition for our contribution to the local community, and the standing of the club in the continued growth of AFL.’’
Camden first joined AFL Sydney in 2008, having participated in the AFL South Coast competition for some years before then.
Leys acknowledged the step up to Premier Division would be a big one, but said Camden would be ready for the new challenge.
“Make no mistake, we are not going to Premier Division to simply make up the numbers,” he said.
Leys said the elevation was important not only for the club but for the greater community.
“This is huge news for the greater Macarthur region and South West Sydney, as we will now bring the highest level of community AFL in the state to our doorstep.
[social_quote duplicate=”yes” align=”default”]“We can’t wait to expand our reach and firmly establish Camden as one of the great NSW-based AFL communities in Australia.”[/social_quote]
AFL Sydney football operations manager Lauren Bunting says the elevation of Camden Cats was a result of success both on and off the field in recent years, and is in line with the strategic direction of AFL Sydney.
“The Cats have continually improved since joining AFL Sydney nine years ago, making finals last year in their first year in the Division One competition, following a Division Two premiership in 2016,” Ms Bunting said.
“The club showed off their playing depth in 2017, making finals in all three senior men’s grades and taking out the Under 19s Division Two premiership through its joint venture team with South West Sydney.
“This season was also the first year the club fielded a women’s side, expanding their club to five teams.”
Bunting said Camden’s strong position off the field also has them in a good place to enter the Premier Division competition.
“Camden have a clear strategic plan and an effective governance model in place to assist with their transition into the Premier Division competition,” she said.
“The club’s location in South West Sydney, player growth and established youth pathways ensure that the Cats are well placed to become a successful AFL Sydney Premier Division club in the future.”
The recent Future Directions of AFL Sydney Project identified the need for greater representation from Western Sydney in the Premier Division competition long term.
Camden’s population has increased by 16 percent since 2011, with the population of the Macarthur region (encompassing Camden/Campbelltown/Wollondilly) predicted to hit 600,000 by 2036.
Camden’s home ground at Fairfax Reserve is currently shared with Camden Junior AFC, who are also on the rise, growing its junior boys’ participation by 48 percent since 2015 with its overall junior participation (boys and girls) increasing by 125 percent since 2015.
Camden’s elevation will take the AFL Sydney Premier Division competition to 10 teams in 2018.
