The University of Technology Australian Football Club (mostly known as the UTS Australian Football Club), nicknamed as the Bats (and the women's team formerly known as the Shamrocks), is an Australian rules football club based in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. It competes in the AFL Sydney. The club is affiliated with the University of Technology, Sydney.
The Bats play their home games at Trumper Park Oval in Paddington, New South Wales, and at Waverley Oval in Bondi, New South Wales. They train at Trumper Park Oval in Paddington and Bat and Ball Oval in Moore Park, New South Wales.
History
Men's football
The UTS Bars were founded in 2000 by Marty Lynch, a University of Technology, Sydney student at the time, adopting the "Bats" nickname as a result of an initial sponsorship from Bacardi Rum.The Bats enjoyed success in their first year, with the Division Two side winning the premiership. In 2004 the club was coached by former Balmain player Roger Moten, and was actively seeking to recruit players from the Royal Australian Navy.
In 2011 the UTS Bats were elevated to the AFL Sydney Premier Division, though struggled in their initial seasons, including a wooden spoon in 2014.
Women's football In 2001 UTS established a women's team to play in the AFL Sydney, however the club folded in 2006, and subsequent attempts to re-establish it met with failure. In 2008 the Bondi Shamrocks, named so due to a large number of Irish expatriates on the team, were founded. The Shamrocks played in the AFL Sydney's Women's competition for the first time in 2009.
By 2016 the Bondi Shamrocks had become the UTS Shamrocks, and won their first Grand Final, defeating Wollongong Saints 5.5 (35) to 3.2 (20). Following this victory the Shamrocks were elevated to the Women's Premier Division. In 2019 the Shamrocks were renammed the Bats, so that all UTS AFL clubs were playing under the same name. In 2023 the Women's Premier Division side were minor premiers and Grand Finalists, though were defeated by East Coast Eagles 8.8 (56) to 1.6 (12). Former Kildare player Gillian Behan, was UTS' sole goal scorer for the match.
In 2027 UTS Bats men's and women's teams will compete alongside eight other AFL Syndey Premier Division teams in the Sydney Football League.
Intervarsity football The club participates in inter-varsity football at both the state and national level. The club has competed at every Australian University Games since 1998.
Club honours PremiershipsCompetitionLevelWinsYears wonAFL Sydney Men's Division One52006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016 Division One Reserves42004, 2006, 2007, 2008 Division Two22000, 2002 Division Three12023 Division Four22014, 2016 Division Five22015, 2025 Masters22023, 2024 AFL Sydney Women's Division One22016, 2024 Finishing positions AFL Sydney Men's Premier Division Wooden spoons32014, 2019, 2020 AFL Sydney Women's Premier DivisionMinor premiership12023Grand Finalist12023Wooden spoons12018
Individual honours Mostyn Medal winners The Mostyn Medal is awarded to the best player in the AFL Sydney Women's Premier Division during the home-and-away season as voted by the umpires: Claudia Gunjaca (2020)
AFLW Players The following UTS Bats or Bondi Shamrocks players have played in the AFL Women's: Claudia Gunjaca (Geelong Cats)
Seasons PremiersGrand FinalistMinor premiersWooden spoon AFL Sydney Men's Premier Division UTS Bats AFL Sydney Men's Premier Division seasons Year No. P W D L % 2011 18 3 0 15 60.38 2012 18 11 0 7 112.17 2013 18 8 1 9 93.67 2014 18 3 1 14 65.62 2015 16 6 0 10 82.69 2016 16 11 0 5 116.90 2017 16 6 0 10 78.67 2018 18 4 0 14 59.95 2019 18 3 0 15 56.77 2020* 9* 0* 0* 9* 19.94* 2021* 10* 4* 0* 6* 76.9* 2022 15 5 0 10 59.90 2023 16 3 0 13 54.90
The 2020 and 2021 seasons were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales
AFL Sydney Women's Premier Division UTS Shamrocks/UTS Bats AFL Sydney Women's Premier Division seasons Year No. P W D L % 2017 17 4 1 12 40.13 2018 17 4 0 13 57.89 2019 17 4 0 13 44.13 2020* 9* 1* 1* 7* 34.18* 2021* 10* 3* 0* 7* 47.30* 2022 16 9 0 7 105.86 2023 16 15 0 1 349.35 2024 16 9 0 7 167.27 2025 16 8 0 8 164.01 2026 16 8 0 8 98.46
The 2020 and 2021 seasons were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales
References
External links
Woollahra Municipal Council - Trumper Park