Royals to celebrate rich 75-year history

Royals Football and Sporting Club will celebrate their decorated history on Saturday with a 75-year reunion at their home venue Centennial Stadium.

The club was established in 1944 as the Air Training Corps and started playing as Royals in 1953 before going on to be one of the most successful clubs in regional WA.

Royals have a home game at Centennial Stadium against Mt Barker to celebrate the occasion and close to 200 people, including former players, members and supporters, are expected to attend the 75th anniversary function afterwards.

The club’s success is evident with 33 league premierships to go with a host of minor-grade flags and most recently, their first women’s premiership.

The likes of Keith McBride, Joe Menegola, the Panizza brothers and the Colbung family are some of the greats associated with Royals.

Barry Panizza is the longest-serving president of the club while Brett, Shaun and Mick Colbung are all life members.

The anniversary function, which starts at 6.30pm, will include food, live music and speeches from past and present members.

Current president Adam Powell said the club was excited to celebrate its rich history.

“Air Training Corps only went to about 18, 19, so looking back we started playing as Royals to get players to stay after that age,” Mr Powell said. “Our history starts in 1944 and the 75 years from there. It’s pretty impressive, the history ... we’ve been pretty successful on the field as well.”