JOONDALUP UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB is proud to announce the movement of two 2021 Top 4 Cup champions State League Division 1 players to our Amateur side for the 2022 season.
Forwards Adam Buckley and Nic Maplestone will be lining up on Sundays this season, which is a testament to the progression ethos the club upholds to.
With a club built on the mostly UK migrants to the northern suburbs of Perth, Joondalup United grew from strength-to-strength over the years and eventually reached the pinnacle by competing in the 2016 National Premier League WA.
In its journey from inception in 2000, Joondalup United, which started from a social club and progressed to Amateur, is today a club which has teams in almost all age groups, including Juniors, Womens and Masters.
“Nic (Maplestone) and Adam’s (Buckley) move from Saturdays (State) to Sundays (Amateur) proves that Joondalup United players can always don Joondalup United colours according to their personal work or family commitments and still contribute to the club,”said JUFC president Ghaz Ramli.
The club’s pathway can also lead players into the Masters set up as the club has over 35s and 45s sides. Joondalup United is built to service the community through the four grounds operated (Beldon Park, Charonia Park, Forrest Park and Prince Regent Park) and hope to continue this in a positive, safe and healthy environment for many more years to come.
“This means a player can start and end his career for Joondalup United. If they do excel in the sport, the club would be proud to see our player playing and performing in a higher level. However, we want them to know they can always come home to Joondalup United when their career comes to an end,” said Ramli.
State players moving to Amateurs is not new. In 2019, Rowdy Yates, Joel Ledsham with Tony Taylor joined a Sunday side also powered by Buckley after a season with the Masters 35s side. The team finished fifth in their first season in the Amateur Premier Division.
Both Taylor and Buckley moved back to the State side in 2021 which helped the team to the fourth place finish and silverware in the finals.
Joondalup United has also seen Amateur players being promoted to the State side, including James Oldroyd among others.
Meanwhile, the Amateurs had a tough season last year in top flight, moving back to Division 1 for 2022.
“Joondalup is United. That’s our tagline and whatever team our players are in we are all playing for the same badge. Players who perform will get the opportunity to be promoted to a higher level and this goes for the juniors as well,” said Ramli.
“The club also takes pride in all of our coaches. From the youngest age group to the first team head coach, we are all working towards one goal. Interestingly, our Techincal Directors are Adam (Buckley) and Tony (Taylor) who have both been with us for over 10 years and are well aware of the club’s ethos.”
Head coach Nick Jennings welcomes the move and is looking forward to seeing both players perform.
“Both boys have been great servants to the club and always gave me 110% every week, it’s great to see both remain in Joondalup United blue again this season proving again how unique we are as a club,” he said.
Maplestone, the younger brother of former Joondalup United State side captain, Aaron, is looking forward to the challenge.
“What’s wonderful is that I know most of the players and we have played together when we are younger,”said Maplestone, referring to likes of defender Adam Rogers and midfielders James Green and Blaine Slater, to name a few.
Goal machine Buckley is also looking forward to adding more goals to his name despite his hectic schedule for the club. With his commitment as head coach for the State Reserve side and his role as the TD, Buckley is also keen for his return to Beldon Park.
“It’s great to have a player like Nic (Maplestone) still playing for the club. He will definitely be a great player for the squad and I am looking forward playing with the squad,” he said.
Amateurs head coach Neil Sherwin stands to benefit the most from this players progression.
“It’s no secret that we struggled in front of goal last season and one of our priorities has been to add more quality at the top end of the pitch,” he said.
”To have two quality players join us from the State League set up is fantastic and it raises the bar for us in terms of standard and ability. The two lads have goals in them and will fit right in with the strong culture we have built in the squad.”
The two players’ inclusion, along with the majority of the squad being retained from last season, means the team is looking to straight get into business as pre-season starts next Tuesday at Beldon Park.
The target will be to find its spot back in the Amateur Premier Division immediately. The team is also powered by a new line up of coaches including Green and newly appointed Jack Snape as assistants to Sherwin in the first team. Long time Joondalup United loyalist Joel Wigglesworth and former player James Spurry co-share the reserve coaching position.
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