About

History

The Belconnen Magpies Football Club evolved from the initial amalgamation in 1986 of the Belconnen Football Club and the West Canberra Football Club. These two clubs had their own origins in the Turner and Acton clubs respectively, whose history extended well back into Canberra’s past. Each club has contributed its unique culture and history to the evolution of the BMFC to develop the character and spirit now experienced by our club’s current players, administrators, staff and supporters.

In the early years of the BMFC, a young team and administration built on the legacy of the past in establishing the club’s own identity within the football and wider community. That matured into consistently strong performances both on and off the field and, after several grand final appearances, the Club’s first men’s senior premiership in 2002 with further premiership success to follow in 2003, 2004 and 2009. The men’s senior side was also Grand Finalists in 1979, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. The BMFC fielded a women’s side in the inaugural 1999 season, finishing in first place. Since then, the women’s teams have developed in strength and numbers and the senior side was Grand Finalists in 2019.

Built on the strong foundations laid by players, administrators and supporters over many decades, extending back to the early days of the Belconnen district and beyond, the Belconnen Magpies continue to be guided by a strong belief in our values and the goal of excellence in all our endeavours.

Detailed historical, playing and statistical records can be found in the annual reports from 1973 onwards and in Robert Goddard’s history of the BFC, "The first 25 years", which are all available on our resources page.

The Belconnen Football Club

The Belconnen Football Club adopted the navy blue jumper and white BFC monogram when it entered the Canberra AFL competition in 1971. These colours were chosen to align with those that had been used by the Turner Football Club (navy blue and white hoops). The different design was to reflect the move to the Belconnen district: a new area, a new clubhouse and a new future.

The navy blue graced the Canberra football fields until 1986. During that time the club was based in its own licensed premises at Jamison, affectionately known as the “Shed”. Belconnen’s most successful season, after some years in the finals, was in 1979 when it lost the Grand Final to Ainslie.

In 1986 Belconnen entered its first amalgamation with the West Canberra Football Club. The amalgamated team was called the Belconnen Magpies and played in black and white stripes.

Belconnen reverted to its navy blue and white colours in 1988 after the amalgamation dissolved and continued to wear these colours until 1991. The Shed remained as the Club’s base until it was sold in 1989. In 1990 the club was based at the Western Districts Rugby Club in Jamison.

In 1991 Belconnen entered an affiliation with the West Canberra Football Club and adopted the Kippax premises as its home. The black and white jumpers were used until 1998 when replaced by the current black, white and teal. The team was again known as the Belconnen Magpies and, over time, the amalgamation of the Belconnen and West Canberra clubs became complete

The West Canberra Football Club

The West Canberra Football Club entered the Canberra AFL competition in 1974. In keeping with the famous Magpie tradition, the club adopted the black and white colours previously worn by the Acton Football Club. In the early years the club did not have a permanent home; however that was rectified when stage one of the Kippax clubhouse was completed in 1978.

In 1986 West Canberra amalgamated with the Belconnen Football Club. They became known as the Belconnen Magpies, continued to sport the black and white stripes and alternated between the Kippax clubhouse and Belconnen’s clubhouse in Jamison. After the amalgamation dissolved at the end of 1987 the black and white colours were not seen again in the ACT Australian Football League competition until 1991 when the Belconnen Football Club affiliated with the West Canberra Football Club, moved its operations to Kippax and the Belconnen Magpies were reborn. The black and white colours remained in use until 1998 when the current black, white and teal strip was adopted.

From 1988 to 1990 West Canberra fielded teams in the Monaro League using the black and white colours.

The Nest

Since 2001 the BMFC have played senior, reserves and U18 home games at Canberra’s enduring home of Cricket and Australian Rules Football, Manuka Oval. As Canberra’s premier sporting complex we have been blessed with first-class facilities for players and spectators. We continued to play home games at Manuka Oval until the end 2012.

From 2013 onwards all grades will play home games at the newly redeveloped Kippax oval which is nicknamed “The Nest”. The ACT government invested 2 million dollars to the upgrade which included new turf, new seating and a new pavilion/function room.

The Football club raised a further 150,000 dollars which got us new coaches boxes and a brand new rehab room for the players. The venue is a state-of-the-art complex which will help grow football in the Belconnen region for many years to come and one the club is very proud of.

The Brindabella

After the Sports Club moved from its licensed premises in Kippax in 2017, the club has embraced the Brindabella as its new home. The redeveloped Golf Club sits just minutes from the Nest on the doorstep of new West Belconnen suburbs.

The Brindabella offers the very best in club facilities. With stunning views of the Brindabella Ranges, the club has huge screens for all the best live sport, an amazing bistro which is open every day for lunch and dinner, and an open plan TAB. It is the perfect place to catch up with friends and family to enjoy everything on offer.

The Board

Our club functions because of the tireless and professional work of our volunteer board members. Contact us to be put in touch with a particular portfolio manager.

Life Members

Life Membership is awarded in recognition of outstanding, prolonged service to the football club.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame members are inducted in recognition of their significant contribution to and impact on the football club.

Club Song

For we're a happy team Belconnen
We're the mighty, fighting Pies
We love our club and we play to win
Riding the bumps with a grin Belconnen

Under pressure we'll be striving
For teamwork is the thing that counts 2, 3, 4
One for all and all for one
That's the way we play Belconnen
We are the mighty, fighting Pies