In February 1957 football started to take shape in the Ku-ring-gai District. The Reverend Jefferies from the Congregational Church in West Pymble conducted a letterbox drop in the area asking for residents interested in playing to attend the Congregational Church Hall in West Pymble. From this meeting the West Pymble Club began with a squad of Under 12’s who played in the Epping-Hornsby Soccer Association. Interest grew and a meeting was called by Peter Leyden a Lindfield Primary School teacher. This meeting was attended by Jim Thompson. The result of the meeting was a decision that led to the birth of the KDSA (Ku-ring-gai and District Soccer Association).
The next meeting of the Association was at the Turramurra Masonic Hall where it was decided that the attending enthusiasts would find interest from people in their respective suburbs. Jim Thompson was to visit North Turramurra School. In May 1957 three Under 12s games took place at Bannockburn Oval. These were the first under the KDSA banner. The teams that played on that day were West Pymble, Wahroonga, Turramurra (now known as Kissing Point), Lindfield, North Turramurra and a Beecroft team. By the end of 1957 West Pymble had a second team and East Gordon (now Gordon) had also joined the competition.
Jim Thompson was the former Secretary of the Balgownie State League Club. No doubt his experience in this club benefited the establishment of the KDSA as he was already an experienced Club administrator. Jim held the position of Junior Vice President in 1957 (the Association inaugural year) and held this position continuously until the end of the 1962 season. Jim was a tireless worker for the Association and with a great understanding of children and Jim’s organisational skills the Association grew. It is said that Jim was responsible for the creation of one club per year in the early days.
Hornsby Heights Sports Club is one of the clubs that Jim Thompson helped establish. In 1962 Jim approached Mr Ray Menser about forming a junior soccer team in the district. Ray then contacted some other local residents and with the assistance of Jack Berry (who was one of the individuals who established Mt Colah Club) set about forming Hornsby Heights Junior Soccer Club. One Under 10 side was fielded in 1962 for the club. The shirts for the team were donated by Mr Thompson.
Jim was made the first Life Member of the Association in 1962. We thank Jim for his dedication to growing the Association in the early days. Without the efforts of people like Jim our Association would not be where it is today.
An advertisement for football (soccer) in the 1960’s. Mr Thompson’s name is next to Hornsby. It is believed that this in Hornsby RSL Youth that commenced in 1960.