The Blake Trophy is the name of our Under 18's competition. It is named in honour of Chris Blake, who for more than 35 years has played an active role in the football world both as a player and an Official at Club, District and State level.
Chris joined Toongabbie Soccer Club in Sydney as player in 1970, soon moving onto their committee as treasurer. He became a director of the Club, and assisted in Toongabbie becoming a licensed Club.
The Toongabbie Club became what is now Blacktown City Football Club, and he was one of the initial Directors, Treasurer and Senior Vice President, until he left Sydney in 1977, when he was made a Life Member of the Club.
On arrival in Wagga Wagga he linked initially with Henwood Park, which at the time was a very large Club. With a number of other members of Henwood Park he started Eastlakes Soccer Club, as a subsidiary of Henwood Park.
In the early 1980’s, with a group of parents Chris started Lake Albert Soccer Club, and he was on the initial committee for a number of years in various positions including President for some time.
In the Mid 80’s he joined the Wagga Soccer Association as Treasurer, then as President for a number of years, during which time they established the Rawlings Park complex as the Junior Soccer base complex in association with Wagga City Council. He also joined Riverina Branch as treasurer.
Chris returned to the President's position at Wagga Soccer Association in the 1990's and held this position for five years, during which time the Gissing Oval Complex was established and the lighting of the ground was funded and installed.
He took on the position of President of Riverina Branch in the late 1990’s, and held the position until early in the 2000’s. He was also Senior Vice president of NSW Amateurs for 3 years, until the amalgamation of the NSW Federation and Amateurs took place.
Chris was an initial Committee member of the West Wagga Club.
He has coached and managed Country NSW teams, Riverina Teams and Wagga Association teams, as well as West Wagga, Lake Albert, Tolland and Rivcoll Senior and Junior Teams.
He was President of the Northern Riverina Soccer League and South West Youth League Competitions.
In 1979, a group of Wagga Soccer enthusiasts set up the “Riverina Soccer Trust”, of which he is still a trustee at present.
Chris is a Life Member of the Wagga Wagga & District Football Association.
The Blake Trophy is the name of our Under 18's competition. It is named in honour of Chris Blake, who for more than 35 years has played an active role in the football world both as a player and an Official at Club, District and State level.