History
History Of The Bill Turner Cup.
In 1979, a group of dedicated teachers who were greatly involved in school soccer, decided to introduce a 15 years and under competition. This committee was known as “Northern NSW Schools Soccer” and was chaired by Bill Turner. Bill, a teacher at Booragul High School (now Lake Macquarie High), had worked tirelessly in school and youth soccer for many years, and was a well regarded referee.
The next meeting of the NNSW Schools Soccer committee was kept a secret from Bill, and in his absence they voted to name the competition the “Bill Turner Cup.” The constitution was updated so that this decision could never be altered. Bill’s son, Lloyd Turner, remembers this time: “One of the committee accidently mentioned the meeting to Bill. Bill felt like he had been stabbed in the back, knowing that he had not been informed about a meeting that he should be chairing. He was quite despondent, as he had been working so hard on it all. The next day, the committee informed Bill about the meeting and their decision. Bill objected, like they knew he would, but the committee were one step ahead with the constitutional change. Of course, it was an incredible honour and Bill was very moved and even more motivated.”
The concept was immediately endorsed by the Northern NSW Soccer Federation and assistance from Senior Officer Stefan Kamasz was greatly appreciated. The late Mrs Fay Budd, a Newcastle business woman donated the original cup (her husband Bill Budd later won it, coaching Cardiff High in 1986.)
The Cup commenced with a modest 34 entries from the state and private schools in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, with Belmont and Whitebridge meeting in the final at Crystal Palace Ground, Wallsend.
In Sydney, a 15 years competition with 64 teams was commenced by John Moscovis and sponsored by Radio Station 2SM. The 1982 Sydney winner entered the Bill Turner Cup at the Semi-final stage. When the Sydney competition folded as a separate entity in 1983, it became a full part of the main competition and the limit of 64 entries was lifted.
The Bill Turner Cup was fully endorsed by Soccer Australia in 1995, Queensland and ACT in 1996, Soccer NSW in 2000 and the Football Federation Australia has continued the endorsement.
So popular and prestigious became the competition that schools from five eastern soccer states Northern NSW (1979) NSW (1981), ACT (1982) Queensland (1987) and Victoria (1988) have entered.
Currently, the Pilot competition in Western Australia is in recess.
In 1988 a wonderful era of development began when the Commonwealth Bank became the competition’s major sponsor and remained so for nine years. Their advice and sponsorship was greatly appreciated and aided the remarkable development of the competition.
In 1996 another perpetual trophy was initiated, named the “Terry Hampton Shield.” This honours one of the long serving administrators of the competition, and is presented to the finalist of the Cup.
After taking over the girls’ competition in 2000, the Executive committee renamed it the Bill Turner Trophy. The losing Finalist is awarded another perpetual trophy, the “Lindsay Hewison Shield.” Lindsay is another teacher, who has been oustanding in school and youth football. Lindsay is the current president of the Executive Committee that runs the Bill Turner Cup and Trophy.
History Of The Bill Turner Trophy.
In 1990 Ron Pratt and Sue Andrews of Combined High Schools were approached to introduce a knockout competition for Junior Girls. With the cooperation of the NSW Soccer Federation such a competition began in 1991 with Bass High the first winners.
In 1994 and 1995, Lindsay Hewison and Warren Sheelah organised the competition, with Louise Yates taking over in 1996-1999.
With the demise of the NSW Soccer Federation competition, the year 2000 saw the Northern NSW Schools Soccer Association Inc. introduce the Bill Turner Trophy and Lindsay Hewison Shield. Entries came from Northern NSW, NSW, ACT, QLD and Victoria.
Brisbane’s Cavendish Road were worthy winners of the expanded competition, for two successive seasons following on from Canberra High’s 3rd place of 2002. Also 2004 saw a development competition commence in Western Australia.
Previous Winners and Finalists for Cup and Trophy Competitions
