Since April 1954 when the first training session for junior players was conducted by Wilhelm Sawatzky and Bruno Venus, junior players and their development has been an integral part of the Club. The steady growth in junior players led to the formation of a junior committee in the 1970’s. In 2001 the Club had 300 boys and girls playing soccer at all ages from under 7 to under 18.
Over the years hundreds of parents and Club members have been involv-ed in running the junior programme and a good number of juniors have progressed into the senior teams and beyond. Anecdotal stories about junior successes abound but pinning down historical data like results, dates and photos has proved difficult.
In 1969 three juniors were selected to play for Victoria. David Davis Un-der 12, Jeffrey Gerrish Under 14 and Matt Vanderlaak Under 16. It is not known if they were the first players from Bayswater chosen to represent the State but they were certainly not the last.
David Healy came through the junior ranks at Knox and went on to play for Australia at junior level before a long career at South Melbourne in the National league. David was selected to play for the Victorian Under 13 squad in 1981 together with team mate Alister Dunkinson. In the same year David Roddis was selected for the Victorian Under 16 team. This was the forth year running David had been selected for Victoria. In 1985 Frank Talia played in goal for the under 13’s, he subsequently went on to play professionally for Blackburn Rovers in England.
Under 12’s — 1965
Back Row LtoR: M Blood, ?, L Degager, L Cambray, P Smits,
R Plumb, Mick Cambray (Coach)
Front Row LtoR: G Lewis, D Shackleford, P Wood, M Vanderlaak, J Gerrish, A Crompton
In 1981 the youth team were undefeated in winning the league championship. In commenting on the season coach Phil Dunning said “On reflection I would also like to say that if the ability, endeavour, and talent displayed by the youth teams is any indication of Knox City’s future, then we certainly have a great deal to look forward to.” Many of the team went on to play senior football for the Club during the successful 1980’s & 1990’s, and provided the foundation of the team which won the Veterans League Championship in 2000 and 2001.
In 1991 the Under 13 Super League team won both the league and the cup. Six of the players were selected for the Victorian Squad: Kris Bell, Jamie Cartro, Robert Del Pappa, Stefan Rudski, Anthony Roussos and Daniel Allsopp. Daniel subsequently went to the Institute of Sport and is currently playing professionally with Notts County in the English 2nd Division joining them from Manchester City.
The last two years have been some of the most successful in the Club’s history. Nearly 300 juniors play for Knox City and they have won a number of championships and representative honours.
In 2000 the Under 11A, Under 13, Under 16 Super League and Under 18 teams won their respective leagues. In 2001 the Under 14 Development side and Under 18A team won their league championships.
In 2002 the Club will be one of only five clubs in Victoria to have 3 or more teams in the junior Super Leagues.
In season 2001 four players were selected for the state squads. Krystal McCluskey was selected for the State Under 14 girls team while Leigh Broxham, Ramsey Nasser and Stefan Benedos won selection for the State Under 14 squads.
In 2001 the Under 12A and Under 13 Super League sides travelled to Bega for the first time to participate in the Joh Amunsden Memorial Tournament, an Under 13’s tournament that attracts club teams from Tasmania & Canberra as well as representative sides from Coffs Harbour, South Coast, Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Albury Wodonga. Our Under 13SL side was successful in winning the tournament by defeating Belnorth (a 5 times winner) 6-1 in the Grand Final.