Club History: From a Coffee to a Club

In July 2023, during one of their regular coffee catch-ups, Dave O’Brien turned to Luke Vassallo and said, “I’ve got an idea — we should start a Masters footy club on the Surf Coast. I’ll be President, you be Coach.” After a laugh and some raised eyebrows, Luke quickly realised Dave wasn’t joking. He agreed on one condition: Dave had to handle all the paperwork.

With that handshake deal in place, the idea started to take shape. There were some early (and hilarious) name suggestions like “Jan Juc Jellyfish” and “Torquay Turtles,” but eventually, we landed on something with a bit more bite: the South Coast Sharks 🦈. The goal was to bring together footy lovers over 35 from Ocean Grove to Apollo Bay.

That first training session saw just 7 brave souls show up, but word spread fast. The waters were warming.

Fast forward to our first official season in 2024 and the Sharks exploded onto the scene with over 60 members and a perfect record:

• 14 games
• 14 wins
• 1 Lightning Premiership All fuelled by a mix of footy legends making a comeback and younger guns keen to leave their mark.

What started with a simple coffee has become something truly special.

Today, we’re a growing club with over 130 members, strong local sponsorship, and a tight-knit committee driving a shared passion. The South Coast Sharks are now a proud and powerful part of Vic Country Masters footy, and we’re just getting started.

Our Jumper

Our South Coast Sharks jumper proudly embodies the vibrant spirit of our coastal community, featuring the iconic colors of the three local clubs. With the bold yellow and black of the Torquay Tigers, the deep blue of the Anglesea Kangaroos, and the fiery red and yellow of the Surf Coast Suns, our design is a true reflection of the passion and unity that drives us. When we hit the field, we’re not just representing the Sharks—we’re carrying the heart of the entire South Coast with us!