WBFC unites in Pink for BCNA

Warners Bay Football Club has once again shown the power of community football, raising around $12,000 during its annual Pink Day fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Network Australia.

The event, now in its sixth year, has grown into one of the club’s most meaningful community initiatives with the latest fundraising effort taking the overall total to more than $50,000 raised for BCNA since the event began.

Held across a full day of football, the fundraiser saw players, members, families and supporters come together in pink socks, jerseys, hair accessories and clothing to show their support for Australians affected by breast cancer.

Warners Bay FC President Nathan Aurisch said the cause had a strong connection to the club community.

“Breast cancer has touched many in our football family. Supporting BCNA is our way of standing together, raising awareness and giving back,” Aurisch said.

The fundraising effort was largely driven by the club’s Zone League Men’s squad, who wore special pink jerseys and organised a range of activities throughout the day including raffles, guessing competitions, cake stalls and the sale of limited-edition Warners Bay FC/BCNA drink coolers, which sold out during the event.

Zone League Coordinator Troy Hooker said Pink Day had become about far more than football.

“Pink Day at Warners Bay FC is more than a day in pink. It’s a chance for our football family to stand together, raise awareness, support those affected by breast cancer and show the strength of our community both on and off the field,” Hooker said.

Despite mixed results on the pitch, the club described BCNA as the real winner of the day, with strong support coming from across the Warners Bay football community and visiting club Kotara South Senior FC.

The atmosphere throughout the day highlighted the important role grassroots football clubs can play in supporting causes that matter to their communities. From junior players in pink socks to senior footballers leading fundraising activities, the event demonstrated how football can bring people together for a purpose far greater than the final score.

With more than $50,000 now raised over six years, Warners Bay FC’s Pink Day continues to make a significant contribution to BCNA while strengthening the sense of connection and support within the club’s football family.

Article and photos by NNSWF

✂️ $1,500 TO CHIP THE AFRO! ✂️

Alright Zone League boys and girls, the stakes have officially been raised.

We’ve set a special $1,500 mini-goal for our Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) fundraiser. If we hit this target, Max Brady is putting his iconic curls on the line and shaving his head! The coaches will also dye their hair pink.

We’ve all seen the preview—and trust us, a bald Max is a sight you don't want to miss. But more importantly, every dollar raised goes directly to supporting Australians affected by breast cancer and their families.

🎯 How We Get It Done:

• The Goal: $1,500
• The Mission: Support BCNA & farewell the hair
• The Callout: We’re calling on every Zone League player across Firsts, Reserves, and Conference to chip in. Throw in $10, $20, or whatever you can spare to push us over the line.

Let's dig deep for a fantastic cause and make sure the clippers get called into action this Sunday 2 August!

👉 DONATE HERE

#WarnersBayFC #PantherPride #BCNA #ShaveForACause #ZoneLeague

As the highest placed Community Clubs in the Hahn Australia Cup, Warners Bay FC Panthers take on the Pottsville Beach FC Panthers for the Northern NSW Football Community Plate. It's played prior to the Men's State Cup, which features the highest placed NPL Clubs.

2026 Pink Day - 1-2 August

Get ready to turn the fields pink on the weekend of Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd!

Warners Bay FC is proudly hosting our annual Pink Day to raise vital funds and show our support for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

Whether you are cheering from the sidelines of John Street Field or pulling on the boots for First Grade we want to see a sea of pink across the entire club!

Here is how you can get involved and support the cause:

DONATE TO OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL

We have set an ambitious goal to raise $10,000 for BCNA, and we need your help to get there. Every dollar counts! Anyone can make a tax-deductible donation directly through our official fundraising page:

TEAM MANAGERS & COACHES: ORDER YOUR PINK SOCKS

Let's make sure our players are kitted out perfectly for the day! Team managers and coaches, please use the button below to order pink socks for your squads as soon as possible.

Let's rally together, Panther family, and make this our biggest and most impactful Pink Day yet. See you all out there in your finest pink gear! 

Panthers Ready for Kick-off: 2026 Competition Structures Finalized

Warners Bay FC is pleased to provide an update to all our players, families, and supporters regarding the upcoming 2026 season. Following recent discussions between regional football bodies, we have finalized the competition structures for all our teams.

Senior Men’s Football (ZL1 & Conference League) Our First Grade, Reserve Grade, and Conference League teams will officially compete in the Zone Football League (ZFL) for the 2026 season. Our club remains committed to the promotion and relegation pyramid, ensuring our senior players continue to compete at a high level.

Junior & Community Football (U12 to Over 35s) We are excited to announce that our community competition teams will join the newly formed INTERZONE Football league. This joint venture between Macquarie Football and Hunter Valley Football will feature over 10,000 players, ensuring competitive and well-graded matches for our players from Under 12s through to our senior community teams.

MiniRoos (U5 to U11) Our youngest Panthers will continue to play in the local Macquarie Football Coles MiniRoos competitions, focusing on fun, development, and team spirit.

Key Dates:

• ZFL Kick-off: Friday, 20 March 2026 – Sunday, 22 March 2026.
• INTERZONE & MiniRoos Kick-off: Friday, 17 April 2026 – Sunday, 19 April 2026

The Warners Bay FC Executive would like to thank our members for their patience during this period. Our priority has remained ensuring that every player has a place to play in a sanctioned, high-quality competition.

We look forward to seeing the Panther mascot back at John Street Field very soon!

Warners Bay Football Club acknowledges correspondence received from Newcastle Football Association advising of their decision to withdraw from the Inter-district Competition from the 2026 season and beyond.

For clarity, the Inter-district Competition encompasses age groups from Under 12s through to Men’s o35s and Women’s All Age teams. Coles Miniroos are unaffected.

This development was unexpected, and we understand that it may raise questions within our football community.

Macquarie Football is currently assessing what this means for the 2026 season and beyond. Warners Bay Football Club is working closely with Macquarie Football throughout this process to ensure we remain informed and aligned as future arrangements are considered.

Our priority remains to provide stability, clarity, and a strong pathway forward for our players, coaches, and families. We are committed to supporting a sustainable and well-structured football environment for our community.

We value the relationships built through the Inter-district Competition and acknowledge the cooperation shared between associations over the years.

Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Warners Bay FC Committee.