Our History

The Beginning

In 1998, the Croydon Cougars Sports & Social Club Inc. was founded by four soccer enthusiasts pooling resources and drawing upon their community. The club adopted the blue and gold colours of Findon High School and with support from local business and grants from the Department of Recreation & Sport and the Charles Sturt Council, laid a strong foundation for the future.

The Cougars' first season in 1999 concluded with a promising fourth place finish in Division 2. Despite frequent changes in coaching and strategy in the early 2000s, the club consistently fell short of promotion.

Rising Through the Ranks

A significant turning point came in 2003 with a series of victories culminating in a promotion to the Saturday Division 1 after a second place league finish.

From 2004 to 2015, the Cougars navigated through the 2nd and 3rd Divisions, demonstrating resilience despite fluctuating fortunes. The year 2016 marked a pivotal moment as the team secured promotion to the 1st Division.

In 2017, the Cougars reached a new height, securing a fourth place in Division 1 — their best finish yet. Nicholas Lalli capped off the season by winning the Rossi Medal as the Saturday Premier Division Player of the Year.

Overcoming Adversity

The following year, 2018, was less favourable, with the team suffering relegation from Division 1. This setback led to a significant number of players leaving the club, marking a challenging period.

In 2019, the club reduced to a single team and participated in Division 6, finishing mid-table.

The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. The season's format shifted to a tournament style, where the club showcased its resilience and competitive spirit against teams from higher divisions.

In 2021, the Cougars, now competing in Division 3, initially struggled with a series of losses, ultimately finishing the season in fourth place.

The Comeback

By 2022 the team finished second in Division 3 and secured promotion.

2023 was a year of significant achievement for the club in Division 2. Striker Joseph Tascione clinched the league Golden Boot with an impressive tally of 20 goals, and the team finished in third place.

The Club celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. We looked back on a history marked by perseverance, community spirit, and excellence. The Cougars ended the 2024 season as Runners Up in Saturday Division 2, therefore also winning promotion to the Premier Division in 2025. Joseph Tascione capped off an incredible season by winning both the Karschimkis Medal (Saturday Division 2 Player of the Year) and the Golden Boot. The club also re-established its Women's sides in 2024, now competing in the Football SA Women's Community Leagues.

Premier Division & Beyond

In 2025, the Cougars made their mark in the Premier Division. Zak Zoina had an outstanding season, winning the Rossi Medal as the Saturday Premier Division Player of the Year. The club finished in 7th place, securing their spot in the Premier Division and looking to climb the table in 2026.

The club currently competes in the Saturday Premier Division, with the Women's teams participating in the Football SA Women's Community Leagues, continuing to provide opportunities for players at all levels.