Mount Pleasant Football Netball Club is not just a football netball club, but a way of life. 

From it’s humble beginnings in 1889 to now, our club has always been  about providing a place for families, friends and locals to come after a long week working or raising children, to come and enjoy a recreational day out with their mates, socialise and feel connected to something bigger. Saturday footy and netball has always been sacred to us, it is the life blood of our community.  

 

Local players in our district first played under the name of Mount Pleasant Football Club in 1889.  Prior to this, players from around the Runnymede district, including Creek View, played under the name Runnymede and for many years played in the paddocks of local farming families. It was  not until 1952 that our headquarters became the Toolleen Recreation Reserve. 

 

We are the only club in the league that has not been named after a town or suburb. That is because our club has a far wider stretch than a town/suburb. Our name undoubtedly comes from the Mount Pleasant Creek, a drop kick away from the original farming paddocks played on, and an old map indicates a Mount  Pleasant existed at Creek View. MPFC was made up of families who settled in the Runnymede district, mainly from Ireland and England, families who still to this day have a large influence and presence in our club. 

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In our time we have seen many clubs come and go including Runnymede, Avonmore, Muskerry, Fosterville, Goornong, Axedale, Knowsley, Toolleen, and Crosbie, in which MPFC has welcomed players and supporters from each and everyone one of them into our big happy family. How such a small farming  community club could outlive and incorporate so many bigger districts and towns certainly speaks volumes for the committees, players and people of the district who have always had the passion and will for our club to survive when so many others yielded to the times.  

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In 1962, league President Sam Cheatley introduced netball, referred to as basketball at the time, into the HDFL. His vision was to have full family involvement in the clubs. This was a hugely successful initiative and made MPFC even stronger as a club. It became clear early on that many of the girls and women in our district were talented netballers and very competitive, hence many premiership flags were won. 

In the almost 60 years since the introduction of netball to our league, the popularity of the sport has exploded, growing from the initial one team in each club, played on dirt, to 7 teams in every club, now on asphalt. Many MPFNC women have been hugely pivotal in the introduction, leadership and continued success of netball in our league.  Our club’s netballers continue to do us proud, with teams making it into finals year in and year out, and many players staying loyal to  their beloved club.  

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MPFC has experienced many difficult times in its history, including two World Wars in which there was no play, the Great Depression, poor farming conditions, drought and the loss of many stalwarts. 

Post World War II was MPFC’s toughest time and the closest the club has come to facing extinction. If it were not for a handful of members who ran the club  on a shoestring budget, recruiting as best they could, whilst on the field being beaten soundly week in and week out over many years, the club would have folded. There is no doubt there will be more challenges thrown at us, but like always we will face them head on to ensure the fibre of our club and the legacy of those who came before us will continue.  

 

MPFNC is one of the oldest club that exists in our league, and is still currently the most successful, based on a history of winning senior football premiership flags. Every single one of our committee members throughout our long history have volunteered their time and resources, including tractors, trucks, properties, and intellect, to ensure the club continues to run smoothly, have facilities to play on and enjoy, and remain in a healthy financial position. Volunteering is the most  crucial aspect of ensuring the sustainability of our club, and it is a way that members are able to give back to the club for the enjoyment and support it has provided to them.  

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Despite our difficult demographic, the many challenges that come with modern day football and netball and the governance of it, we are still a very strong country club that loves to enjoy ourselves and has its people and community at the heart of all our decision making. 

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Welcome to our new and returning members.  Here’s to a successful season for the Mighty  Mounts.