Belconnen United FC

History

The Belconnen United Soccer Club was formed in 1970 as the new Canberra district of Belconnen was establishing. The club competed in the top ACT league from 1975 and has won the competition on a number of occasions.

They played in the New South Wales Premier League as Belconnen Blue Devils from 2000 to 2005, and lost to Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the 2005 Preliminary Final, whilst they were Premiers (1st in the league) and losing Grand Finalists in 2004. In 2006 they were kicked out of the New South Wales Premier League because of disputes between the club and the board of the league.

The club returned to the ACT Premier League, now renamed as Belconnen United Football Club, finishing second in the 2006 competition.

Belconnen has established a relationship with A-League club Central Coast Mariners !Central Coast Mariners that will include an annual match between the two teams known as the Bank of Queensland Cup. The match will be played as part of the Mariners pre-season preparations, and assist in building further connections with the ACT footballing community. The first match was held on 30 June 2007, Mariners winning 4–0.

10 April 2015, Belconnen United FC announced they had formed a formal relationship with A-League heavyweights Sydney FC. The agreement between the two clubs established a formal pathway for Belconnen youngsters to progress and gain the possibility of an A-League contract with Sydney FC. The agreement also opened up ongoing opportunities for Belconnen coaching staff to work with and information share with Sydney FC staff including Graham Arnold. Sydney FC finally agreed to tour Canberra in 2015 pre-season to host coaching clinics and play a friendly match against the Blue Devils.

Current squad

As of 16 February 2017

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Coaching staff

As of 15 February 2017

Club philosophy

Belconnen United has developed a club philosophy framework to establish a positive club culture and football approach and ensure the club remains a strong pillar of the community. This philosophy is broken into two groups, culture and football approach.

Culture

Club culture philosophy is based around open communication between the club staff, players, parents and external entities. It is about setting and expecting the highest level standards, positive good behaviour and personal conduct. This includes for example, ensuring safety and wellbeing of the players, parental etiquette is maintained at training, matches and tournaments, and assisting in the development of personality, self-confidence, motivation, concentration and communication skills for all involved with the club.

Football approach

BUFC’s football philosophy is based off four main principles. The development, delivery and review of the BUFC curriculum, coaching development, player development and a focus on home-grown talent. This approach to the footballing department of the club will deliver consistent development of both players and coaches associated with Belconnen United. Belconnen has established four feeder club agreements (see feeder club section below) to create a comprehensive player development pathways that nurtures home-grown talent. The club has implemented sets of age and program related goals for both players and coaches, it provides a uniformed style and system of play that emphasis technique before tactics, and it has developed a skills acquisition and game training program for all ages to achieve set goals.

Feeder clubs

Belconnen United has established a number of feeder club agreements with junior and senior clubs in the ACT and NSW to help create a pathway for junior and senior players alike. Currently Belconnen United has four agreements in place.

Club anthem

Belconnen United have created their own club song to sing in times of victory and joy. The song is as follows:

Home venue

Belconnen United has always been based in the Belconnen suburb of McKellar, ACT. McKellar Park (formally known as McKellar Soccer Centre and Belconnen Soccer Centre) is the Blue Devils home venue and has been since its inception in 1970. McKellar Park went through a major renovation in 2002 with the building of a new grandstand and other armenities, transforming the once suburban ground into one of the premier association football stadiums in Canberra. The build cost was $1.10 million and was delivered on time by club partner Project Coordination. The venue was re-opened by former ACT Senator Margaret Reid on 23 November 2002. The first match played at the ground was a 2002/03 NSW Premier League match between Belconnen United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles, the match ended 2-2. McKellar Park now holds a capacity of 3,500 people with seating for approx. 600 people. The grandstand also contains a concession area, change rooms, public toilets, storage, moderate corporate areas and press facilities. Belconnen United ground share with W-League team Canberra United but because the W-League is played in the summer months and the NPL Capital Football league runs over the winter months, there is no overlapping in fixtures for use of the stadium.

Sponsorship

Belconnen United FC has always been financially supported by the licenced club, Belconnen Soccer Club. 20 January 2017, the Blue Devils announced a new front of shirt partnership with multi-national gym company Anytime Fitness. Anytime Fitness would also host junior gala days during the junior season.

Honours

ACT League Premiers and Finals Champions

Premiers (6): 1982, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2012 Champions (9): 1982, 1985, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2008, 2014

Capital Football Federation Cup

Winners (4): 1990, 1992, 1998, 2014

NSW Premier League

Premiers (1): 2003-04 Challanger League Winners (1): 2004-05

Season-by-season results

The below table is updated with the statistics and final results for Belconnen United FC following the conclusion of each National Premier League Capital Football season.