Catani celebrates 100 years

Catani royalty, Beryl and Ron Banbury, at the centenary celebrations on Saturday. 346331 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

By David Nagel

One of the proudest sporting clubs in the region celebrated a significant milestone on Saturday when Catani hosted a centenary event to commemorate its inaugural season in 1923.

The famous navy blue colours were on full display, as past players, administrators and supporters gathered to reflect on those magnificent years gone by.

People came from far and wide, with Bill Martin flying down from New South Wales for the celebrations, while club icons Beryl and Ron Banbury made the short trip in from Catani…the place they have always called home.

The day was made all the more special with Angela Banbury, the daughter of Beryl and Ron, producing a timeline of the history of the great club.

Catani won its first premiership in 1924 against Cora Lynn by a point, and won its most recent senior flag under Paul Alger in 2017 against Warragul Industrials by the same margin…5.7.37 to 5.6.36.