FOOTBALL has been an integral part of Tatura’s community spirit since the late 1800s, with local games reported as early as 1885. By 1894, Tatura joined the Goulburn Valley District Football Association (GVDF), competing with nearby towns. Football provided a unifying force during the early years, and despite hiatuses during both World Wars, and again during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21, Tatura Football Netball Club (TFNC) has remained a central part of town life.
In the early days, Tatura was a formidable team winning its first premiership in 1898, three in a row from 1900 to 1902, runners up in 1903 and then winning back-to-back premierships in 1904-1905; the longest winning streak in Tatura Football Club history.
In 1905, registered club colours were red, white and blue, including a navy blue guernsey with white braces and a red sash and matching stockings. The red, white and blue colours have always persisted.
GVDF association would become the Goulburn Valley Football League (GVFL) in 1914. Tatura Football Club played an instrumental role in the growth of GVFL in its first 30 years on and off their field, as a premier team and League administrator. (125 Years of the Tatura Football Netball Club, 2019)
Game day was Wednesdays until 1939, when play was moved to Saturdays. Prior to this controversial move, some local players were playing Wednesday games for GVFL and Saturday games for VFL.
A and B Grade netball competitions began in 1981, with both teams winning the premiership the following year.
Since its inception in 2014, the GVL Hall of Fame has recognised Tatura’s long history of excellence, with 11 Tatura inductees recognised for their football, netball, and administrative achievements. The club has continued to thrive, adding a women’s football team in 2019 and celebrating its 125th anniversary that same year. Now in its 130th year, Tatura Bulldogs remains the longest-serving club in the GVL and a huge part of the town.
