History of Bell Park Dragons

About Bell Park

The Bell Park Football Club was formed in 1958 after the Bell Park Progress Association moved in 1957 that the developing area required sporting facilities for the growing population. 

The club commenced with black and white stripe jumpers borrowed from the Under 18 league which was an independent body, not affiliated with the Geelong & District Football League. In 1959 our original jumpers of bottle green with a white “V” was worn.

In 1972/1973 a cricket section was formed to enable all the footballers a chance to keep fit and stay in touch during the summer period. They played in the “C” grade final that year.    

In 1980 the then football committee moved to change from the original jumpers to Green & White vertical stripes the jumper as worn today.

In 1984 with the addition of other sports the Bell Park Sport & Recreation Club was formed, the club was made an Incorporated body in 1987.

The Geelong Football League introduced Netball into the league at the commencement of the 2000 season, and Bell Park netballers took to the courts.

Since these times the Bell Park Dragons have expanded to include multiple football and netball teams playing in the Geelong Football Netball League across both Seniors and Juniors. We have introduced Junior girls to our Football Division and continue to seek new recruits in this area.

Our cricket teams play in the Geelong Cricket Association with representation at Junior and Senior level and since 2018 we have welcomed the Geelong Dragons All Abilities teams playing under the FIDA banner. 

As with all organisations, volunteers are very important and are the lifeblood of our club helping to  make it an inclusive and welcoming environment. This club has been very fortunate in this regard, we have had amazing support throughout our history and to name people would be unfair on the volunteers we may leave out. To each and every one of the volunteers that make our club great we say “Thank You”.  

The committees of every section of the club should also be congratulated for their efforts past and present.  They work hard to allow our players to participate in sport week in and week out and their passion to allow our players to be the best they can be both on and off the field is to be commended. 

Photo (right):  Inaugural Football Team Photo (1958)
Back Row: Committee Member: Joe Conway, Ivan Gillet, Cr Abe Wood, Barney Barling, Joe Grinter (V President), Peter Jensen (Treasurer), Norm Hisshion (Trainer), Max Knight (V President), Eric Lynch (Coach), Dave Gillett.

Middle Row: Ray Gillett, Denis Moreland, Kevin Johnstone  Brian McWiliam, Peter McIntrye, Brian Grinter (Capt), Uwe Heesch (Vice Capt), Carl Grace, David Foote, Gary Giles, Peter Knight.

Front Row: Robert Gillett, Les Tyach, L McWiliam, David Watt, B Gillett, Barry Johnstone, R Hanes, Lyle Grinter, Ken Moreland, Doug Knight.

Absent Committee Members: Chris O’Shea (President), Tony Balkin (Secretary), J Farrell, Frank Bedson, Norm Garfoot.