When the Avalon Bulldogs A-Grade men’s team returned to the field in 2025, it marked more than a comeback – it reignited community spirit across Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
After years without an A-Grade side, a group of past players and local supporters came together to rebuild the team from the ground up. Backed by Wattle Court Sydney North as a major sponsor, the Bulldogs didn’t just make a return – they went all the way to win the premiership.
For William Kelly, or ‘Kelso’ as he’s best known, winning the grand final was surreal. As Player of the Match and the Bulldogs’ captain, it was a moment he’ll never forget.
“We didn’t come back to win the comp,” he said. “We came back for the community and the mateship. So the win was just an extra reward for all the hard work we put in throughout the year.”
Wattle Court Sydney North’s support for the Bulldogs goes far beyond a logo on a jersey. Their sponsorship helps fund training sessions, club operations, and mentoring for junior players – but at its heart, it’s about backing the people who make the club what it is.
Outside of football, Kelso works as a concreter and has been part of many Wattle Court projects. It’s this connection that makes the partnership especially meaningful.
“Obviously, there’s a personal connection for me because I’ve loved working with Wattle Court Sydney North,” Kelso said. “To have them on board as a major sponsor is really special, because they’re a good team of people who love what they do. They’re always going to be the perfect fit for our club.”
The sentiment is echoed by Wattle Court Finishes Manager Daisy Lawler, who described the partnership as a ‘Cinderella slipper moment’.
“It was the perfect fit. It’s an honour to be giving back to the community that we live and work in,” she said. “We’ve always believed in the power of grassroots sport to build discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of community in young people.
“Supporting the Bulldogs allows us to invest in the next generation while also giving back to the people who’ve supported us along the way.”
For Alex Woodley, one of the directors of the A-Grade team, the partnership between the two teams feels natural.
“You want your sponsors to fit your club and for the partnership to be built on shared values,” Alex said. “We aren’t trying to go out and be sponsored by just anyone. It’s important to mesh, and with Wattle Court, it just works.”
For Stef Puskar, Bulldogs club member and one of the key drivers behind re-establishing the A-Grade team, the success was about far more than football.
“When I moved to Avalon several years ago, the A-grade men’s team was massive in the community,” he said. “Nowadays, my son plays in the under-9s, and my daughter is also involved in the club. I always wanted them to have something to aspire to.”
“I used to talk about it with Alex and say, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we had a men’s A-grade team to watch after we watched our kids’ games?’ We put the feelers out and it just snowballed from there everyone started getting involved to make it happen.”
To celebrate their return, the Bulldogs launched a heritage jersey for the A-Grade side – a nod to the players’ long history with the club, this time with the Wattle Court logo front and centre.
“It was based on the jersey from when some of the players competed in the A-Grade boys’ under-sixes team,” Stef explained. “It’s a nod to where it all started, and to come full circle, wearing that design again and winning the premiership in it, that’s pretty special.”
Local footy clubs have always been the heart of small communities, and Wattle Court’s support is helping ensure that continues.
“We know all our sponsors personally,” Kelso said. “We wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have without them. They keep the wheels moving. It just shows that everyone needs to do their part to be successful.”
And for Wattle Court Sydney North, that’s exactly what this partnership represents – locals backing locals, and building something bigger than any one person or project.
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