Our History
The Gungahlin Jets Australian Football Club was originally formed in 1981 by Graham ‘Strup’ Mumme as the East Canberra Australian Football Club. They were accepted into the MAFL 2nd division in the 1982 season, with Peter Lennox as the inaugural President, Vince O’Donnell as Captain/Coach, Paul Gillam as his assistant, and Graham Bonnett as Team Manager.
The club played its first game on 1 April 1982 against St Edmunds. Only losing four games during the season, the Jets finished third on the ladder behind the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC) and the Australian National University (ANU). Despite being considered the underdogs of the season, the Jets flew through the Finals series to win the Grand Final, defeating RMC by 13 points.
The Jets junior football club was established in 2000 by a few senior players and volunteers who had run an Auskick clinic in 1999 at Giralang oval on Sundays. The following year, the club fielded two teams in the ACTAFL Junior competition. By 2009, the club had 150 registered juniors. Importantly, 2009 marked the amalgamation of the Senior and Junior clubs. When the Junior and Senior clubs merged, the new club provided a total of 340 players the opportunity to play footy, supported by more than 100 active volunteers.
In 2008, the Jets introduced its first senior women’s team, hailed the Jetettes. The appointment of Bec Goddard as inaugural coach was a major achievement, which attracted quality female players to the jets. The Jetettes faced a tough but rewarding season which resulted in a grand final appearance and a narrow loss.
In 2016, our First Grade Women took out the Premiership after an incredible season.
In 2018, the Jets introduced netball to the club portfolio, and became the Gungahlin Jets Australian Football and Netball Club. The creation of the Shooting Stars all-inclusion netball team (2019) saw the Jets win the Inclusive Community Award and the Minister for Sport and Recreations Award for Inclusion at the 2020 CBR Sport Awards.
During 2020-2021, the sporting competition in Canberra was heavily affected as a result of COVID-19. However, in 2021 the Jets made club history yet again by introducing their very first Second Grade Women’s Football team and Division One Netball Team.
The Jets have enjoyed a raft of successes, including Premierships in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994 and 2016. The Jets were also the Minor Premiers in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2007.
Built on the strong foundations laid by players, supporters, volunteers and administrators since 1982, the Gungahlin Jets continue to be guided by their values of respect, commitment, selflessness, professionalism and inclusivity.