The end of the football season in the Hunter has marked the end of an era for one club.
This season, Newcastle and Wallsend Athletics, better known as NAWA, had just one team playing over 35’s.
In its heyday, the club supported a range of sports, including cricket.
“We’ve had athletics, women’s soccer, netball teams, there’s junior soccer.”
Formed by immigrants from Spain in the 1960s, NAWA took its colours from FC Barcelona.
“When I first started here there were only 2 people who spoke English. We’ve been invited to Canberra to play in the Spanish Cup. We’ve hosted the Spanish Cup here in Newcastle.”
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Very sad. I had a season playing for NAWA in 95-96 (I’m from the UK) and it was a big club back then. Many different clubs in many grades and kids and women’s teams too. I also played in the Spanish cup in Canberra.
Thanks for the memories NAWA. You’ll always be special to me.