PLAYERSAFL/VFL/VFA PLAYERS FROM SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICT V. Aanenson South Melbourne, Port Melbourne G. Atkins North Melbourne, Collingwood C. Austen Hawthorn (1949 Joint Brownlow medallist) G. Beard South Melbourne P. Bedford South Melbourne (Brownlow medallist) A. Bogdanoff South Melbourne G. Bryce South Melbourne R. Cheevers Port Melbourne G. Crane South Melbourne P. Deagan South Melbourne E. Digby South Melbourne F. Duscher South Melbourne D. Engelleener South Melbourne A. Findley South Melbourne J. Foley South Melbourne P. Horner South Melbourne D. Jacobs Essendon, Hawthorn L. Lafannue South Melbourne, Carlton J. McGee South Melbourne S. McKillop South Melbourne P. Melesso South Melbourne, St. Kilda, West Coast A. Miller South Melbourne B. Morton South Melbourne D. Pagan South Melbourne C. Pettona South Melbourne S. Plumridge South Melbourne M. Scanlan South Melbourne S. Smith South Melbourne M. Smith South Melbourne J. 'Basher' Williams   SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICT SPORTS CLUB HISTORY   South Melbourne District Sports Club was established in 1912. Since that time, the Club has been one of the most successful and enduring sports clubs in the area, providing opportunities for adults and children to take an active role, through sport, in their local community - as players, coaches, helpers and supporters. SOUTH MELBOURNE AND "DISTRICTS"The history of South Melbourne District and the AFL’s Sydney Swans (formerly the South Melbourne Swans) have been closely interwoven over the years, with many 'Districts' players going on to play for the Swans at Lakeside Oval. In fact that was not the only 'support' that South Melbourne District Sports Club gave to the Swans. In the late 1920's, South Districts donated 40 Guineas to South Melbourne F.C. to stop them from folding. In 1930, with the introduction of the Coulter law and the Salary Cap, many VFL clubs, including the 'Swans', struggled to survive. Many players sought 'extra' income in these hard financial times with the 'Districts' again providing 'assistance'. Left over players from the Swan's seconds and thirds were often poached to play with the 'Districts', and occasionally firsts players, such as Laurie and Robert Nash, would also have a game at the Districts as an extra means of support. It was only through innovative fundraising by the Swans that stopped this habit and secured such outstanding players as Laurie Nash and Bob Pratt to gain success and win the Premiership in 1933. With the salary cap set at £3 per VFL player, Swans legend Jack 'Basher' Williams revived the habit in the late '30s, stating that he "wouldn't play in the 2nds when he could earn 5 quid playing for the Districts". The fact that there was a barrel on after the game was another enticement here. South Districts played at this time, behind the South Tech. across the road from the Swan's ground. When the Swans were going badly, the 'Districts' crowd would swell, such was the association and passion that the locals had with both Clubs, which continues today. Swans players, such as 'Bluey' Beard, often finished their football careers at the 'Districts'. Bluey coached the team to a premiership in 1939, playing as they did, in that era, as a curtain raiser to the VFL Grand Final at the MCG. 'Bluey' continued his association with the Districts, often visiting the Club, up until his death. THE CLUB TODAY Today, South Melbourne District Sports Club is the largest community based club in the Albert Park Reserve and is very proud of our colourful history, contribution to local sport and of the selfless input of our many volunteers, without which we could not provide the challenging and supportive environment for the area's children and young men and women. The Club also encourages and supports many older volunteers, whose work is much appreciated and for whom the Club is a wonderful source of social interaction and involvement. There are approximately 440 active players and over 180 volunteer workers involved in the Club - from the budding stars of the future in our thriving Auskick program through to our Junior teams in the Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League (U9 -U15), and our Seniors, Reserves and Under 19's in the VAFA competition. Off football season, our younger players take to the cricket field for the Club, again catering for all levels from the successful Milo 'Have-a-Go' program, through Juniors (U12,14,16) and with many of our U19/Senior players playing in the VACA through our affiliation with Middle Park Cricket Club. While the Club has a rich and proud history, it has never been one to sit on its laurels, and has constantly sought new and innovative ways to encourage players and supporters alike. One example of this was the initiation by the Club of a liaison with the developing code of AFL in New Zealand. In 1999, South District sent an Under 16 team to participate in the national underage championships in Auckland, as well as to playing 'exhibition' games with local clubs throughout the country. The success of this tour, led to formation of, and return trip by, a national Kiwi Team, to compete in the Australian U18 Championships.