Is there any such thing as a town or a community in the whole of Australia that doesn’t have its town colours and Footy club. The year is 1970 and there are enough blokes working in Hamersley Iron (HI) to make up 2 teams. These boys were known as the ’Centrals’ and the rivalry was fierce. In 1974 the ‘Centrals’ officially became the ‘Tigers’. The colours were a deep blue and gold and the West Pilbara Football League was formed.

With a strong side and an enthusiastic committee, the club needed more challenges. So they reached out and joined forces with The De Grey League in Hedland but as they were the new kids on the block, and a Tigers Team already established in Hedland, the Dampier Sharks with their Green and Gold was set in stone.

In 1983 Windy Ridge was at its peak with not just the Dampier Sharks Football club but also The Taverners Cricket Club, Both Ladies and Men Falcons Softball, The Eagles Rugby Club and a strong Darts club and competition, HI supported the Community to build our Sports Club . Chas Dobbs was the man instrumental in the foundation of the Sport Club Committee. In the early days many families drove the success of our Sharks. Jeff Cole, Jeff & Marie Dornan, Ken & Helen Onley, The Adams Family, Anthony Barnett and Hornhardt Family just to mention a few. Jnr Football was also huge right from the beginning and names to note are Michael McCormick and the Coles Family.

Dampier was lucky enough to have Brendan Bell make the move North and along with his football prowess with over 200 games Brendan commitment to the Sharks has been an inspiration to the whole Pilbara footie community. From award winning player to coach, long standing committee member, President and life member. Brendan has been the backbone of the Sharks for over 2 decades. Brendan along with Shane ‘Freckle’ Blackham and Damian Peachy were responsible for the bringing the brightest oval in the North. With the erection of 6 lighting tower reckon Windy Ridge could be seen from Exmouth.

We can’t talk about the Sharks or the sports Club with immediately thinking of Russell ‘ Emu’ Turner, this year has certainly been the year that Emu finally was acknowledged for all his dedicated time and energy to Dampier, thank you Emu you’re a legend. Mentioning sporting legends and again from the Sharkers we’re proud to have names like Dean Cox and Zac Langdon who started there footy career right here in Dampier and not to forget our very own Kristian ‘Dicko’ Dicton leading his path as GM for Football operations for Subi FC. Amazing the talent, energy and drive that comes from our little town. The Sharks, the Jnr Sharks and this year with the Ladies joining the league, a driven, focused and hard working committee the further is bright and in the words of someone famous ‘ GO YOU SHARKERS’.

Windy Ridge 1971 prior to the Sports Club

8th Dampier Icon - Go you Mighty Sharks

DAMPIER COMMUNITY Association

DAMPIER CARAVAN PARK