Formed in 1994 with the merger of the Echuca South and Echuca East football netball clubs, Echuca United briefly played in the Northern and Echuca League until 1996 before joining the Murray League at the commencement of the 1997 season.
In its history, Echuca United has won a single senior football premiership in 2013 and three A-grade netball flags in 2015, 2016 and 2019.
The presentation night will kick off at 6pm where past and present members of the club and volunteers will be able to socialise and relive the history of the club.
The committee will unveil an all-time football and netball team that was decided upon by a panel of members.
AFL legend Michael Braun will be the guest speaker. Braun played his junior football at Echuca United and went on to play 228 games for the West Coast Eagles, where he won a premiership in 2006.
When reflecting on this club’s history, current Echuca United president Peter Quanchi reflected on his role in the club and what it means to him.
“I’ve enjoyed the presidency so far, it feels good to be able to contribute without playing on the field. At the end of the day, I am just one piece of the puzzle, and it takes a whole group of us to keep the club running,” he said.
“We feel like we’ve turned the corner and given the club some stability which it hasn’t had in a few years, so that has been great.
“This club has been the place you go to feel a sense of community, there’s so many people who have played for this club that I look up to.
“You always know that there will be people here that have your back and give you stability whenever you need it.”
Numerous past presidents will be at the celebration, including Robin Rowbottom, who was president from 2004 to 2008 and was chair when the club lost the grand final in 2006.
Rowbottom reflected on his time as president and what he believes is the true magic of any country football club.
“I first got involved when we were down and during my time we rose, we never won a flag while I was there, but we made the grand final in 2006 but couldn’t get it done.”
“To be part of Echuca United is part of being in the community and finding belonging, my kids came through, and you want all the juniors to find that same sense of belonging and to feel looked after.”
Dale Zanella will also be in attendance. He was president from 2010 to 2013 and was at the helm when the senior side won its first and only premiership in 2013.
Zanella reminisced on his role in the premiership year and how the club has been attempting to capture the magic of that era ever since, while also emphasising his excitement for the anniversary celebration.
“My tenure was in the early 2010s. I was president when we won the premiership, it was a great year and awesome to be part of the club when it was buzzing,” he said.
“It was a great era, and it required great effort, but the enjoyment comes at the end. You just have to get there first.
“I’ve been here the whole time, so it’s something I always come back to every year, just to help in any way I can, it’s like family to me and everyone here are good people.
‘We’ll have a bit of fun on Saturday night, which is exciting, and we’ll get the chance to see some people who we haven’t seen in a long time, so that’ll be good.”
If you wish to attend, tickets are available at https://www.trybooking.com/1269408 or phone 0448 280 400
