Lakemba Sports & Recreation Club (LFC Sports)
Established – 1917
Home grounds – Parry Park
Current members – 555
Previous names – Lakemba RSL Soccer Club, Lakemba RSC, Lakemba Soccer Club, Lakemba Returned Soldiers Junior Football Club
Lakemba Sports & Recreation Club (LSRC) is one of Australia’s oldest soccer clubs, established in 1917. The club was originally named the ‘Lakemba Returned Soldiers Junior Football Club’.
As the original name suggests, the club served to support returned soldiers’ integration back into society.
The club had its first meeting in Moseley's Shop, Lakemba in 1917 and from this meeting the first football club in the CDSFA was formed. That year an under-17 team played in the Metropolitan Soccer Association on the site that later became Lakemba Public School.
Later, in 1920, Lakemba soccer players helped clear 94 stumps from Wiley Park Oval as a gesture towards the establishment of Rugby League in the district.
There was a slight decline in Soccer during the war, although at this time a very promising young player, Jim Staples (later Judge Jim Staples) was playing inside left for Lakemba.
There have been at least sixteen teams entered each year by Lakemba in the Canterbury District Competitions, many reaching the finals and going on to Champion of Champions. Lakemba is always well-represented in Canterbury Representative teams.
Mr S. (Pop) Gould, a Life Member of our club and also a foundation member of Lakemba's original club, is still active around Parry Park, our home ground; his son and grandson have both played for Lakemba.
Another first for Lakemba was our Ladies team who have been playing in competition for five years, and who, this year, are playing in the newly formed Canterbury District Ladies competition. Since inception, ‘integration through sports’ has been the club’s motto and focus.
The club serves the community though the hard work of volunteers and continues to provide support to the community. Today, Lakemba Sports & Recreation Club (LFC Sports) assists local immigrants integrate into their new life in Australia and proudly serves more than 600 players, with numbers continuing to grow.
LFC Sports has football programs in place for all levels, from beginners to professionals. Its main focus is getting players on the field, loving the game and excelling.
The Club has also a growing presence in cricket and previously also participated in Martial Arts, Water Polo and Life Saving.
