This is just the beginning - have a few more people to add here - but they will be people who may not be remembered as they should.
SPORT
The beginning of the Edwardstown Soldiers Memorial Grounds was to honour those who had served overseas, those who had died and those who stayed home.
Life was different then. Home was family. Churches were a strong base for religion and social life. Neighbours knew each other much more than today, and often helped those in need, whether next door or miles away. Physical activity was a way of life as there was no technology with robots and smart phones. Women washed and ironed by hand. Men walked to work each day - often miles away, and much of the work was physical. Visiting was so often done via feet moving on rough ground. Few cars and if one was lucky enough to own one, then most would 'share'. Sons did not buy their own car for years - they had to share Dad's car. Friends would join together to go out in the car of one of the group.
Children were very physical, in that they walked to school. They walked and played after school. Holidays were physical, walking, running, jumping, climbing, digging, investigating. Bike riding to school for those lucky to afford a bicycle. Some country children even had horses to ride to school, or were taken in a buggy for long distances, but there were many times they just had to walk.
Sport was good for children and schools encouraged it. Churches had their own teams, as did council areas, gardening groups, businesses, small towns. It was fun, it taught sportsmanship and rules. Respect was so there. Gave many a young boy a chance to become a sportsperson in higher grades - where they could hope to join a team for their State or play in an Australian team. Maybe even go overseas or be a member of an Olympic team. Those who went on to high education still had choices of team to play for, while those who left to work, would join their workmates in that team.
This shows the importance society made of exercise and teams, and a place for all to join in - either in a casual manner, or playing for a chance to become the best in their field. Money was not the be all or end all.
The idea of a sports ground was for all - a safe place for all. Of course, the sport part was mainly for the males. Females did play organised basketball (today called netball) hockey and a little cricket - I played electric light cricket in the South Parklands. But sport then was anything physical. The sport of going barefoot in a creek catching tadpoles to put into jars and watch them grow. SPORT was not as constricted in its meaning as it is today. Today it is money, fame and winning, winning, winning and MONEY.
I enjoyed sports day and running the egg and spoon race!! But the three legged race was the best!!
During research there have been a number of sport people of whom I knew nothing.
One in particular.
MICHAEL AH MATT
FIRST INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN
to represent Australia at an Olympic Games in 1964
Michael was born in Queensland in 1942 and represented Australia in the National Championships in the Northern Territory in 1959 in basketball. He moved to South Australia to play with the South Adelaide Panthers. Michael was tall and extremely athletic - a very exciting player on the court.
"Michael was a tremendous basketball player with freakish and uncanny dribbling and passing skills. He was also renowned for his spinning backboard shots which seemed to come out of nowhere. An enthusiastic supporter of the National Aboriginal Sports Foundations, Michael's skills and flair for the game would inspire future champions such as Danny Morseu and indirectly Patrick Mills and Nathan Jawai. Tragically Michael Ahmatt died of a heart atta k in 1984". He was only 42 years of age.https://australia.basketball/blog/hall_of_fame/michael-ahmatt-dec
The Ah Matt family have continued on with his children and grandchildren playing basketball.
Michael Ah Matt was inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame; and in 2010 was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame.
There was another indigenous basketball player and 2 indigenous boxers in the same Olympic games, however the fame of being the 'first' came down to who went on the court first, and that of course came down to Michael Ah Matt.
I have been told there is some recognition at Marion but nothing in Edwardstown. NOTHING. Michael Ah Mat.
His home was in Edwardstown (now South Plympton) and his wife still lives there. She is continuously being asked to talk about her husband, all over the world, but not in Edwardstown. Not a plaque - nothing. No street name, no room at the oval, nothing. Not even a park bench!
It is Edwardstown's history, so it has been neglected and ignored. Just think of what it could do to the indigenous young in this area in sports, in particular, if they knew of and could see this man's story and photo.
One man I discovered when I was writing up about WW1.
JOSEPH JAMES CHURCHETT. Born 1894 In Adelaide to Joseph James and Sarah Ann nee Kirkwood. Played senior football in Kapunda when he was only 16.
While in the Army in France, he was chosen in the AIF team in the inter-Allied contests held in England and France in 1917. In Aussie Rules for the 27th Batt (they won) he was a wing man. Running he was extremely good at, and won the 100 and 200 yard foot races for the AIF team. Winning two silver medals in the games.
When he returned home to Australia, Joe Churchett moved to work with the Irrigation Commission in Barmera, where he formed the Barmera football club.
Moving to 14 Towers Tce, Edwardstown in 1925. In an interview with the 'News" Adelaide 13.6.1952 p13, Mr Churchett said his hobby was being the secretary of the Edwardstown RSL sub-branch which he held for 20 years.
The Churchett home at 14 Towers Tce Edwardstown is still there.
Joe and his wife had a son a year after they came to Edwardstown.
COLIN JAMES CHURCHETT was born Jan 30, 1926 in Adelaide and died the 5th February, 2012 in Glenelg.
He probably began his sporting career as many of the young boys around the area did - playing in empty lots next door and across the road. On the dirt roads around the area and over at the Memorial Grounds. A number of these boys grew up together, played together and joined senior football teams together. They walked to training together and a lady I met one day, told me of the friendship of the lads in the area around Towers Tce, Thomas St and many other places around the area - how they would meet after school and school holidays to play 'footie' and cricket.
However, at first, Colin proved to be an excellent tennis player, and his father mentioned in the above interview, that he had hoped after his son had twice won the State Tennis Championship, would continue on with a tennis career. As a cricketer Colin was a gifted player. While at Adelaide high school, Colin played football with other lads who also became household names, like Bob Hank. Now that is a name I remember.
Eventually Colin chose football and cricket over tennis but football would be his greatest achievement playing over 1000 games for the SANFL. There are many reasons why this man should be remembered for his skill, his records, his abilities and if anyone reading this is interested, you will be able to find more information on the internet. He played both his cricket and football for Glenelg.
Not only was Colin Churchett a hero on and off the football field, but he also served his country well in World War 2. He joined the Australian Navy in 1944 at age 18 and served on the Hobart, and was in Japan for the surrender and saw first hand the devastating results of the atomic bombs.
Just recently talking with Mr R Armanini who remembers well playing at Edwardstown and knowing Colin and others of this area playing with him.
STRAPPS BOYS
The Strapps family lived around Sth Plympton, Ascot Park and Edwardstown.
The boys were involved in cricket tennis and football.
I met Mr Ron B Strapps at his home and he told me stories of the family and how long they have been around.
He himself was involved with sport at Edwardstown school and was chosen for SA Schoolboys Carnival in Tasmania in 1950.
He was following in his brothers' footsteps as his elder brother Colin played three sports. Colin - at 9 years of age, excelled in cricket, and at 13 was playing for his school on Fridays, then played with the Mid Southern Association with the adult men's team on Saturdays. He was called a brilliant all rounder. Both Colin and his brother William were well respected and very good players for Glenelg.
The Strapps family have been part of our area's history in Edwardstown, South Plympton and Ascot Park since the early years, and still live in the area.
THE BUGG FAMILY
R.J. AND E. BUGG NEW
PLAYERS FOR SOUTH IN 1939
On the Edwardstown Memorial Board at the Edwardstown Oval the names of 3 or 4 Bugg boys are written up. More information is in the story of these men has been written up on the WW1 pages. Families of boys grew up playing football and cricket in their neighbourhoods. There were plenty of open spaces around Edwardstown Ascot Park, Vermont and Forbes to kick a ball after school or on weekends. School boys football led to playing for church groups and other organisations, often companies the boys worked for, or for the area eg at Edwardstown Oval for the Edwardstown Clubs. This would possibly lead to them playing for the team of their area. All football players had to play for the club of their area. Something like school areas. They could eventually play for a Victorian club if they were 'good' enough. Loyalty to their clubs. Something different to today. I don't recall money being part of the package of sport.
Play for the team Dad played for, or barracked for. Families would stay with the one club forever. My grandfather was a Norwood supporter from when he was a child.
FORMER SPORTS PERSONALITIES.
EDWARDS Peter George Cpl KIA in Belgium,7th October 1917. There is no known grave.
His parents were Thomas J and Mary Ann Edwards of 'Crystal Brook House' Clarence Park. His brother Gilbert served as a Company Sgt/Major in the 27th. He returned home.
Peter Edwards was a noted player for Sturt in 1911 and all reports in his obits say how 'clean' a sportsman he was, and he had 'sterling qualities'. He was well liked and well respected.
In many obits in the papers at the time of his death, this young man was said to be a young man of promise, who was a 'decent bloke' in all aspects of his life. The article says that when his parents were to move from the Sturt district, Peter was going to retire as he did not want to play against his mates! He lived at Edwardstown and rode his bicycle to practice whatever the weather. Reminds me of the 50s and early 60s when I knew many of the Sturt players of the day, and how they all would work during the day and get to practice in the evening - in 'the days before cars'. Few had cars so players went on foot, by bike, bus and train - even hitching rides.
other footballers. friend around the corner william st
rugby
COURSING
BOWLING CLUB
CRICKET CLUB
Types of other sports in earlier times.
