Macedonia Park
Our Macedonian Sporting and Cultural Complex is called Macedonia Park “Alexandar Makedonski” and is located at Hooker Creek Road, Berkeley.
The 50 acres of property was purchased in 1978 by the Macedonian Orthodox Community of the City of Greater Wollongong “Saint Dimitrija Solunski”. Well over $350,000 of the funds were raised by our branch, the MOC St Dimitrija Solunski Ladies Auxiliary, by organising various functions, including fundraisers such as Miss Macedonia.
On 7 January 2001, being Macedonian Christmas, the park was officially opened with a football game against a visiting side called Pelister from the city of Bitola in the Republic of Macedonia.
The Community has always aimed to support the overall needs of the large Macedonian community. Recognising the community’s passion for football, the Wollongong Macedonia United Soccer Club was founded in 1976 by the Macedonian Orthodox Community of the City of Greater Wollongong “Saint Dimitrija Solunski”.
Facilities
Our Macedonian Sporting and Cultural Complex, “Macedonia Park – Alexandar Makedonski”, at Berkeley has a first-class playing field, a training field, dressing sheds with showers, canteen facilities, a clubhouse, entertainment facilities and a fully covered sitting area.
The dedicated management committee from Wollongong United Football Club continually improves and upgrades the facilities. More recently, the grounds have been fitted with state-of-the-art lighting.
In 2012, the Management Committee of the Macedonian Orthodox Community of the City of Greater Wollongong “Saint Dimitrija Solunski” determined to refurbish the entertainment hall into a first-class, air-conditioned facility for shared use by our Cultural Folkloric Dancing Group M.K.U.D. “Makedonija”, Wollongong United Football Club and the wider community.
Wollongong United
Macedonia Park is home to Wollongong United Football Club, known as the “LIONS”.
The club has a proud history dating back to its founding in 1976. It began in the Illawarra Second Division in 1977 and went through the season undefeated. In 1978, the club was promoted to the Illawarra Premier League and won the Brampton Cup. In 1979, it moved to the New South Wales Soccer Federation League and quickly earned respect among clubs in Sydney.
In 1990, the club reached the highest level of competition by being promoted to the Australian National Soccer League. Although its time at that level was short-lived, the achievement made history for the Macedonian community.
Players such as Mile Sterjovski and Scott Chipperfield went on to represent Australia internationally after playing in the Macedonian red and yellow colours.
In 2004, the club decided to return to the local Illawarra Football Association. After finishing second in the IFA First Division in 2005, Wollongong United gained promotion to the Premier League for the 2006 season.
After 34 years, the club won the Bampton Cup on Sunday, 15 July 2012.
The Macedonian Orthodox Community of the City of Greater Wollongong “Saint Dimitrija Solunski” congratulates the team, coaching staff, management committee, supporters and everyone involved with the club.
Senior and former players also use the facilities for social games before the main weekend games.
