Two local multi-generational footy families are celebrating the huge refurbishment of their much-loved hinterland football club facilities.
The 'Home of the Reds', home to 350 players aged 5 to 70 is enjoying a new lease of life thanks to a $1.7 million club upgrade, which has now been completed.
Proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council, the project at Nambour-Yandina United (NYU) Football Club sports club facility will be a boost for the football club and also the weekend Yandina Community Markets, which it hosts.
Ari Harth plays in the Mini Roos for the Reds.
It's a welcomed improvement to their local football club for the Harths, a proud Reds footy family.
Ari Harth, son of Jono Harth and grandson of Michael Harth, is playing his first season as a Mini Roo at Nambour Yandina United Football Club, making it three generations of Harths that have played for NYU.
(Left to right) NYU Football Club President Jeff McColl with his daughter Lily McColl, Lachlan O'Keefe, Sunshine Coast Council Division 10 Cr David Law, Peter and Jenny Harth, their great-grandson Ari Harth (at front), Sophie Day, and Peter and Jenny's grandson Jono Harth.
Adding a fourth generation, Ari's great-grandfather Peter Harth is a former President of the NYU Football Club.
"My four sons Michael, Stephen, David and Gary all played for NYU, my grandsons Jono and Michael Harth play in the Premier League men's team and my great-grandson Ari Harth plays in the Mini Roos," Mr Harth said.
"I remember back in my time with the club, our first dressing room was over in the old cricket shed and was simply two trucks we used for change rooms.
"The new clubhouse is something to see, in my lifetime, from what we started with.
"I'm looking forward to seeing my great-grandson Ari enjoying the new facilities."
Lifetime NYU Football Club member Peter O'Keefe also has a multi-generational legacy with the Reds.
(Left to right) Three generations of another passionate Reds family: Quinn O'Keefe, Lachlan O'Keefe, Jack O'Keefe, Bonnie O'Keefe and lifetime NYU Football Club member Peter O'Keefe.
Peter's three children Bonnie, Lachlan and Quinn O'Keefe all started out as juniors in the club and are now playing and coaching for the Reds.
Peter's son Quinn was in the first team as NYU to win a Grand Final, and his grandson Jack O'Keefe is now playing his first season in the Mini Roos.
NYU was formed in 1997, bringing together two great earlier clubs, the Nambour Reds (founded in 1974) and the Yandina Eagles (founded in 1976). The club is affiliated with Sunshine Coast Football and Football Queensland and now has 350 players registered in junior and senior divisions.
A bold new home for the Reds
The $1.7 million upgrade includes new public amenities, four new changerooms, improved access for all abilities, a separate area for umpires and a first aid room.
The refurbished clubhouse also boasts a new club administration office and uniform store, with a solar system to offset electricity costs.
Sunshine Coast Council Division 10 Councillor David Law said Council recognised the regional importance of sport and active recreation at a grassroots level.
"Participation in sport and active recreation has significant benefits for our health and our social connection and is an economic boost for our community," Cr Law said.
"These improvements to the Nambour Yandina United Football Club facility are enthusiastically welcomed by the local sporting community in Nambour and Yandina.
"The club is recognised for its dedicated players and passionate supporters, and what a fantastic facility this now is, enabling even more people to get involved in local sports.
"This new clubhouse is a home to be proud of, for all NYU players and supporters.
"This is another example of how we are connecting and engaging with our communities to build a better future for everyone."
A growing club
Nambour Yandina United Football Club President Jeff McColl said the whole club was excited about their new clubhouse and facilities, which coincided with NYU's 50th anniversary celebrations.
"The new facilities couldn't have come at a better time, as we have more than 350 players plus officials, coaches, managers and spectators, and we're still growing," Mr McColl said.
"These updated facilities are a major step for our club development, with many new players and programs including an excellent girls' program that achieved Football Australia's Star 1 Club Changer recognition, and we've engaged the teams with a technical director, goal keeping coaching, junior coach development and field maintenance.
"We have a large supporter base and I am sure everyone will be proud of our new facilities.
"We look forward to hosting many Red home games in our new clubhouse."
A joint partnership
Sunshine Coast Council provided funding of more than $1 million and proudly partnered with the Australian Government, which contributed $400,000 through its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and the Queensland Government, which provided $204,000 towards upgrading the clubrooms for the Nambour Yandina United Football Club.
The Nambour Yandina United Football Club also contributed $33,000 to support the project.
This joint partnership across all levels of government and local community will enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities on the Sunshine Coast.
State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said he was absolutely delighted to see these works come to completion, and to have advocated for this project as the local State MP.
"With the huge increase in female participation in sports across the Coast, this upgrade could not have come at a better time," Mr Skelton said.
"I look forward to seeing the benefits the upgraded clubhouse brings, not only to NYU FC, but to the wider community as well."
Did you know?
Council has a range of sports facilities managed by community clubs. Additionally, the Sunshine Coast community enjoys access to 1180 recreation parks and open spaces, 382 playgrounds, 75 basketball courts, 57 exercise equipment nodes in parks, 46 dog exercise areas, 29 skate parks, 1,357 shelters, 375 drinking fountains, 328 barbecues, 204 public amenities and 180 showers.
