Club History
The Hornsby RSL Football Club was established in November 1969 so that members of the RSL Youth Club could graduate into the Senior Ranks. In its initial season, 1970, the Club competed in the Kuring-gai District Soccer Association (KDSA) and was successful in winning the Division 2 competition that year.
After being promoted to Division 1 in 1971 the Football Club continued to play attractive and entertaining Football resulting in winning the KDSA cup in 1972. The club also won a combined RSL Club’s Gala Day competition in 1973. During the mid 1970’s, Hornsby RSL Football Club was a great supporter of the Ku-ring-gai Districts Representative Teams and in one season there was a total of 9 ex-RSL players in the districts first grade squad.
These are members of our very first senior team from the 50th year club anniversary dinner in 2020.
The club continued its success with premierships in 1975, 1978, 1981 and 1984 seasons and again won the KDSA cup in 1989. In the late eighties, the club was fortunate enough to obtain the services of Australian National Socceroo, Robbie Hooker, who was player/coach. Robbie brought to the team a more professional outlook and attitude resulting in the club having its most successful season in 1991 by winning the Premier League and KDSA Club Championship. The Football Club also enjoys an active social aspect with many social functions organised over the years, especially the annual pilgrimage to Mallacoota in Victoria where they compete for the prestigious Mallacoota Cup.
Season 2000 saw two All Age Women’s Teams join the six All Age Men’s Teams as part of Hornsby RSL Soccer Club, competing in the KDSA Women’s competitions. Our move into women’s soccer proved highly successful for the club, with one team being crowned Premiers and the other winning the Grand Final to be crowned champions. Both sides gained promotion to Division 2 for the following season.
In Season 2001 the club continued to grow in numbers. Player numbers were strengthened in the Men’s teams due to the folding of Mt Colah Premier League. The influx of quality players allowed the club to strengthen all grades. After the success of 2000 the popularity of women’s soccer saw the addition of a third women’s team. Once again we enjoyed success on the field with our Division 4 First Grade side being crowned Premiers and gaining promotion to Division 3. Premier League First Grade narrowly lost the Grand Final.
2002 was a season of consolidation for the club. Player numbers remained stable. The major achievement for the year was winning the Mallacoota cup after 23 years of trying and four Runners Up trophies.
Season 2004 saw the All Age 3 side consolidate there position after being promoted from Division 4 the previous year. Premier League Played good football throughout the season in both grades finishing just outside the semi finals. The Over 35’s continued to fill the trophy cabinet with silverware. After winning the 2003 Grand Final, they added the 2004 Premiership and 2004 Championship trophies to the cabinet. The ladies sides enjoyed a good season as well.
2005 saw RSL entering teams in Premier League, All Age 3, Over 35 Div 3, Ladies Div 1 and Ladies Div 3. The Over 35’s team were crowned Premiers for a third consecutive time.
In Season 2006, RSL entered two teams in All Age 2 and Over 35 Div 2. A decline in player numbers in 2007 saw RSL field teams in All Age 7 and Over 35 Div 2. The All Age team finished as undefeated Premiers whilst the Over 35s finished third.
RSL entered the rebuilding phase in 2008. Teams were entered in All Age 4 and Over 35 Div 2. Injuries to key players in both squads curtailed what would have been a great season.
2009 marked the 40th anniversary of the blue and golds of the Hornsby RSL Soccer Club. Teams were entered in All Age 5 and Over 35 Div 3. The All Age squad finished undefeated on home soil and narrowly missed the playoffs whilst the Over 35’s were crowned Premiers for the fourth time this decade. The 40th reunion brought over 200 past and present players and supporters together at Hornsby RSL with nine of the fifteen originals attending.
At the 2009 Annual General Meeting the members voted to change the Clubs name to Hornsby RSL Football Club.
In 2010, RSL hope to continue the rebuilding of the club and ultimately gain promotion back to Premier League. A very successful year on the field. All Age 5 crowned Premiers and gaining promotion to All Age 4. Over 35’s finished 2nd. We added a team in All Age 7, and after a shakey start they experienced some good results in the later stages of the season.
Mallacoota 2006
2017 saw the Youth and Seniors clubs combine. For the first time both clubs operated under the single club name of Hornsby RSL FC. The merging of these 2 great clubs provides additional resources available to the club and a logical path from youth to senior grades. The year also saw the start of Football School for HRSL youth members, a development program ran throughout the year in conjunction with NSFA accredited coaches.
Soccer Club re-unions where held after 10 and 20 year anniversaries but the function held in October, 1999 for the Thirtieth year surpassed the lot. In excess of 300 past players and supporters were in attendance with thirteen of fifteen original team members attending. Some had not seen each other for 24 years and others travelled as far as Perth, Townsville, Adelaide, Melbourne, Grafton, Nambucca, Coffs Harbour, Taree and Canberra – proving how much the Hornsby RSL Soccer Club is valued.
The First Hornsby RSL Football Team 1970 at the 40th Reunion