Assyrian Sports and Cultural Club

The Assyrian Sports & Cultural Club Ltd was established in 1970 by Assyrian families who resided mainly in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. These families organised picnics, parties and other functions to celebrate important Assyrian and Christian events like Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Assyrian New Year. This formed the foundation of the club.

On the 13th of August 1972, the founders of The Assyrian Sports & Cultural Club Ltd. registered the club with the New South Wales Corporate Affairs Commission. The Memorandum and Articles of Association declared the objectives of the club.

These included:

“to promote Culture, Studies, Sports, Social Activities and Entertainment” and “In view of the fact that our Assyrian Nation’s ethnic origin stands in minority status in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran and Turkey, and that our colloquial and educational languages are Arabic, English, Turkish, Farsi and Assyrian (Aramaic), the Club may maintain traditional friendship with any community and Representative of any of the above-mentioned countries who may be residing in Australia.”

In the late 1970s and early 1980s most Assyrian families moved to the Western suburbs of Sydney where there was an increase in the number of Assyrian migrants arriving into Australia. Naturally the Club membership grew considerably.

In 1990 the Club leased premises on The Boulevarde in Fairfield Heights and obtained liquor and gaming licenses. The Club actively took part in sports events like The Assyrian Cup and Ethnic Cup soccer tournaments and successfully held functions and activities for the community. The Club also supported newly arrived migrants to help them settle in the new country.

The club encouraged education by offering grants to achievers in the High School Certificate. It also promoted local talents in the arts including singers, musicians, painters and sculptures.
In 1997 the Club purchased the premises at 52-54 Stanbrook Street, Fairfield Heights and the task of turning the old gymnasium, squash courts and fruit shop into a club began until January 2000 when the new premises were officially opened by Mayor Anwar Khoshaba in a ceremony that was attended local politicians, councillors and a large number of Assyrians.

In 2003 the beautiful reception hall was built and the club premises were extended to accommodate weddings and other functions and to celebrate important Assyrian and Christian events.

Today the club is still thriving and it is still true to the objectives of its founders and it leads the way in its support to the Assyrian Chaldean Syriac community in Australia.