WOLLONGONG MUSTANGS GRIDIRON

How the Mustangs came to be.

 

In July 1991 an exhibition game of American College Football between Arizona College and Idaho College was at Brandon Park Wollongong and drew a crowd of 8000 people. Seizing upon the interest generated by that game and the popularity of sport on TV, several Illawarra based players who had been playing with the Sutherland Seahawks decided to start a gridiron club in Wollongong.

Recruiting began in Sept 1991 and about 80 interested playes attended an information meeting. Over the coming weeks this was soon whittled down to around 30. Those initially impressed by the uniform and the glamour of the game were soon awakened by the costs, commitment and energy needed to play gridiron.

Those veterans from the seahawks - Hugh V'Cortez, John Boss, Zoran Janevski and Ben & Paul Curcio became the clubs first coaching staff.

Through John Boss' connection with the Wollongong TAFE, the team had a training base and a place to store equipment. Sponsorship overtures were made to a local soft drink supplier which might have seen the club playin in red and blue and be known as The Pepsi Patriots, but the company rejected the proposal.

The sponsorship was secured by the local McDonald's franchise and the North Wollongong Hotel, and with the US dollar in our favour the team purchased some equipment. The Colours for the club were Cardinal Red and Gold to support the McDonalds that had supported the team. The Players were then given a vote on the team name, two names starting with M and the vote nearly unanimous and the MUSTANGS were born.

The new found club promoted itself in shopping centres and by taking part in McDonlads McHappy days and the mini fun runs (in full playing gear) just to spread the Sport these young men loved.

 

The Initial club comittee comprised of:

 

President - John Boss

 

Secretary - Hugh V'Cortez

 

Treasurer - Glenn Blackley

 

Equipment manager - Zoran Janevski

 

Field perp and maintenance - Paul & Ben Curico

 

Committee members - Mike & Cherly Stottmeister

 

Manager - Dallas Lewis

 

List Mustangs Head coaches.

 

1992 - Hugh V'Cortex

93-94 - Jim Minogue

95-04 - John Boss

02-04 - Phil Scott along side John Boss

05-06 - Anthony Maxwell

2007 - Dennis Jackson

2008 - Mitch Hunt

2009 - No Coach - Did Not Play This Season

2010 - Vaughan Swart

2011 - Mitch Hunt

2012 - Dennis Sentelle Jr

2013 - Brad Davis

2014 - Kevin Manderson

2015 Mitch Hunt

 

The Wollongong Mustangs are greatful to the American ex-pats who have shared their knowledge with the coaching staff over the years and would like to aknowledge, Tim Macgill, Chris Hayes, Dan Silvy and Phil Scott for the assistance in the clubs early years.

 

Mustangs Honour Roll

Australian Representatives

PETER SMITH

GLENN FENWICK

MICHAEL HARVEY

BRAD GOLLEDGE

JORDAN STALKER

NICHOLAS DI GENNI

BRAD MOUNTFORD

 

POLYNESIAN ALL STARS

NATE BARTLETT

MITCH HUNT

DENNIS SENTELLE JR

WIL JOHNSTON-SANDERS

KEVIN MANDERSON

 

NSW REPRESENTATIVES

PETER SMITH

GARTH HITTMAN

MICHAEL STOTTMEISTER

PAUL JOHNSON

DARREN BLAIR

JULIAN MUSGROVE

DAVID McKINNEY

KAZU MIYATA

DANNY GRAMMEL

NATHAN LANE

MICHAEL HARVEY

TIM CAMPBELL

MARK WICKS

GREG EVERS

MICHAEL BRYANT

ANDREW WALSH

SCOTT DELFS

MITCH HANEY

MITCH HUNT

NICHOLAS DI GENNI

SCOTT KIRKWOOD

BRAD MOUNTFORD

 

RETIRED JERSEYS

GARTH HITTMAN No. 45

JOHN BOSS No. 94
SCOTT KIRKWOOD No. 20

MITCH HUNT No. 4