Woombye Snakes strike gold in grand final triumph

by Cameron Outridge and Patrick Gillett

Woombye Snakes are celebrating one of the proudest moments in their club’s history, claiming the FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast championship and contesting an extraordinary five Grand Finals across the weekend.

The Snakes’ 4–2 win over Caloundra at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday was the club’s first senior men’s premiership since 2014 – and only the sixth in its proud 56-year history.

Club President David Gaskin said the club was “over the moon” with the weekend’s efforts.

“We couldn’t be happier with the efforts of all our teams this year and having made five Grand Finals is an outstanding result,” Mr Gaskin said.

“We are one of the smallest clubs on the Coast but continually compete head to head with the large clubs.

“I am regularly asked by other clubs what it is we do at Woombye to make it such a great club – and my response is always the same. We are a family.”

While the first-grade men’s side hoisted the trophy, the Snakes also celebrated a Grand Final win in the Under 18 Division 1 competition. The Under 23 Men and Division 3 Men both fell short in their deciders, while the FQPL Women’s side lost in heartbreaking fashion, conceding a late goal to Maroochydore to level the game before eventually going down in extra time.

“It was a tough way to lose for the women’s team – they led most of the game and defended incredibly well. Maroochydore scored just before full time to force extra time, and then again with just minutes to go,” Mr Gaskin said.

Coach Luke Alderson paid tribute to the character of the first-grade men’s squad, saying the early part of the season was marred by challenges including a flooded home ground that made training impossible.

“We didn’t have the best start to the year – literally, our field was under water,” he said.

“But we rallied well and got the results when we needed to. We knew if we got on the Stadium deck, our football would outplay anyone – and we showed that tonight.”

The victory adds to a modest but meaningful premiership tally for Woombye, whose senior men’s team has previously lifted the trophy in 1970, 1984, 2010, 2011 and 2014 since the club’s founding in 1968.

Despite the club’s success, growth is proving difficult without further space to expand.

“Unfortunately, we are now at our capacity numbers and are turning kids and adults away,” Mr Gaskin said.

“It would be fantastic to secure some more land for fields so the club can continue to grow and provide a service to the community.”

Looking ahead, the club’s popular social six-a-side competition returns in October, open to players of all levels with divisions for men, women and mixed teams.

For more information or to register for the 6-a-side competition, visit www.woombyesnakesfc.com.