After a 33 year hiatus, the Garbutt Magpies will return to the AFL Townsville senior men’s ranks in 2021 with a standalone team being accepted into the men’s reserves competition.
The Garbutt Magpies last competed in an AFL Townsville senior competition in 1988 and won their last men’s premiership in 1982.
They join fellow clubs; Hermit Park, Thuringowa, Curra, University and Northern Beaches in making up a six team men’s reserves competition.
Alongside the Garbutt Magpies Women’s and Garbutt Bombers Juniors, the addition of a reserves team now provides a pathway from juniors through to seniors across both male and female competitions.
The Garbutt Magpies have a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, providing the local community with a social space were young men and women feel connected and safe.
Garbutt Magpies president, Gavin Kum Sing, said the addition of the men’s team was significant for the club.
“Our community is all about family, so having a men’s team now means all our families can share in football from juniors through to seniors,” he said.
“We are incredibly appreciative of AFL Queensland in helping make this occur because without their support it would never have happened.”
Barry Gibson, Community Football Manager Queensland, said the Garbutt Magpies had completed an extensive entry process.
“The introduction of the Garbutt Magpies senior women’s team last year was a significant step for the club, and we are pleased that they’ve been able to put themselves in a position to expand on that legacy,” he said.
“The club has worked extremely hard to rebuild their senior football program and we’re hopeful they will field a senior men’s team in years to come.”
“With participation numbers across Queensland continuing to grow it is important we are providing opportunities for juniors and youth within their community group to progress through the football pathway in Townsville.”
