Hay Park will be added to the NSW Australian Football Heritage Association register next Saturday (9 May) prior to the Hay Lions v Ultima Storm match in the Central Murray Football Netball League.
Heritage Association vice president Dr Rodney Gillett will present a plaque to the Mayor of the Hay Shire, Cr Carol Oataway, in a ceremony on the ground prior to the match.
Hay Park will join other recipients such as the Sydney Cricket Ground, Wagga's Robertson Oval and Jubilee Oval in Broken Hill on the Heritage register.
Hay is the oldest football club in New South Wales, having been formed on 24 May 1876 – just ten days before a football club was formed in Albury, and initially played matches between club members until the Hay Football Association was formed in 1895 with four teams.
“The Hay football story is a special part of the history of the game in New South Wales. Not only was it the first club formed in the then-colony, but the players and officials have displayed tremendous perseverance ever since to overcome the ‘tyranny of distance’ to find competitions to play in”, said Dr Gillett.
Dr Gillett will be accompanied by two other members of the Association, Messrs. Peter Clark and Ken Gray, who are both members of the Heritage Awards sub-committee.
Hay Shire General Manager Mr David Webb said: “The plaque will serve as a lasting tribute to generations of players, volunteers, supporters and families who have shaped Australian Football in Hay since its earliest days.
“From humble beginnings to a proud and resilient sporting culture, Hay’s football story is one of community spirit, dedication and tradition. It reflects not just longevity, but the strength of connection between the game and the community.”
The Hay Lions Football Netball Club have arranged a reunion of past players, officials and supporters to coincide with the plaque presentation.
The Hay Lions (currently fifth) will host old Golden Rivers league rival Ultima (seventh) in round four of the Central Murray Football Netball League. They played each other in last year’s last-ever GRFL grand final, which was won by Hay.