Wilson Storage Community Icons – The History of the Sandringham Zebras

The Sandringham Zebras, a name that resonates with fans of the Victorian Football League (VFL), have a rich and storied history. Formed in 1929, the Zebras have carved out a significant place in the annals of Australian rules football. Wilson Storage is proud to support important community groups like the Zebras. This article takes you on a journey through the comprehensive history of this remarkable team.

The Early Years of the Sandringham Zebras

The Sandringham Football Club, fondly known as the Zebras, was born out of a three-way merge of the existing amateur clubs in the area: Sandringham Amateurs, Black Rock FC, and Hampton Amateurs. The club’s colours of gold, black, and blue were adopted from these three local teams. In their first decade of existence, the Zebras fought hard, with their efforts culminating in a 5th place finish in the 1933 season.

The Sandringham Zebras’ Golden Era

The Zebras tasted their first victory in the 1946 season, coming from behind late in the final quarter to record a 7-point win over Camberwell. This victory marked the beginning of the Zebras’ golden era. The club’s most successful period came in the 2000s, with four premierships in ten years, cementing the Zebras as one of the premier teams in the VFL.

The Zebras’ Alignment with AFL Clubs

The Zebras have had a fruitful alignment agreement with the Australian Football League (AFL) club St Kilda since 2009. This agreement allows St Kilda-listed players who are not selected for the Saints in the AFL to be selected for the Zebras in the VFL. Before this, Sandringham had an alignment with Melbourne Football Club, which resulted in a premiership win in 2000 and three more in the following years.

The Sandringham Zebras’ Home Ground

The Zebras’ home ground has always been the Beach Oval, renamed the Trevor Barker Beach Oval in honour of the coach who led them to the 1992 and 1994 premierships. The only exception was in 1966 when the club briefly moved to the Junction Oval in St Kilda.

Recent VFL Seasons

In recent VFL seasons, the Zebras have shown resilience and determination. While they’ve faced challenges, their spirit remains undeterred, and they continue to be a formidable presence in the league.

From their formation in 1929 to their golden era and their alignment with AFL clubs, the Sandringham Zebras have a rich history in the VFL. Their journey is a testament to their resilience, determination, and love for the game. As they charge into the future, the Zebras continue to be a team to watch in the VFL.

Sandringham Zebras and Wilson Storage

Wilson Storage is very involved at a community level. It’s important to us. It’s what distinguishes us. Wilson Storage has been supporting the Sandringham Zebras as the principal sponsor for years. We plan to continue that relationship.