The Eagles were first formed in 1903, initially been known as Kobandilla, but by 1909 the name had been changed and the Klemzig Football Club was formed. It played for three seasons, first blue and white, then red, white and blue, with its last year being spent in the Adelaide and Suburban Association.
In 1916, the middle of World War I, there was considerable talk about the government changing the names of towns which had German associations. Then in 1917 it was gazetted that all towns in South Australia with German names would be changed on January 10th, 1918, to suitable Australian names.
Subsequently, Klemzig was changed to Gaza in recognition to the servicemen who had been interred at the Gaza War Cemetery. Units of the Light Horse fought many battles in the Gaza area, one of the oldest cities in the world, before eventually winning the day.
The Gaza Football Club was founded in 1903, then on December 12th, 1935, the name of the suburb reverted to Klemzig. After World War II the members of the Gaza football and cricket clubs voted unanimously at an AGM to retain the name Gaza in perpetuity. Gaza is one of the four remaining inaugural members of the original North Adelaide District Association.
Gaza won its first premiership in 1926 when players changed in a tin shed behind the O. G. Hotel. It was the jubilee premier of A2 in 1951 and premiers again in 1960. After the club joined the SAAFL in 1963 in A3 division, taking out the premiership in their first season to move up to A2 division. They moved between A2 and A3, with the club taking our a triple premiership in 1975 (A, B an C Grade all Premiers in A3, A3 reserve and A9 respectively) In 1990 a feat that had eluded the club previously was achieved in 1990 and won promotion to A1 division for the first time. It was a 3 year stint in this division before being relegated back to A2, but with yet another A2 Premiership in 2000, the club was elevated back to A1 and then celebrated the Division 1 Premiership in 2003, it’s Centenary year. This feat was repeated in 2012. They have remained in A1 up to season end 2014.
Many elite footballers have begun their football at Gaza, playing VFL (prior to the inauguration of AFL), SANFL and more recently AFL. Well-known character and AFL player, Darren Jarman, won an under 16 medal playing for the Club in 1983. His brother Andrew also played in the juniors before commencing his career with North Adelaide Football Club and ultimately rising to the AFL. He then returned in 2000 to play and coach the club. Additionally the Jarman brothers’ father, Dennis was the A2 division medalist with the club in 1971.
Mid 1960’s, the Gaza Football Club and Gaza Cricket Club, amalgamated to form the Gaza Sports and Social Club, which has evolved into the club we have today, catering for senior and junior football, senior and junior cricket as well as competition darts and eightball.
The club has a strong and loyal membership base and equally embraces the Klemzig community and history. Gaza is proud to welcome our new long-term sponsor and partnership with Rachel Lawrie of Ray White and is looking forward to building a better future for the Klemzig community with her.