History of the Association

Emerald Junior Football Association was formed on the 28th February 1977 and has conducted soccer fixtures on grounds established at Morton Park, since that time.  The Association celebrated its silver anniversary (25 years) in July 2002 with a morning tea for past committee and life members. 

The Association was incorporated in 1986 and is administered by a committee consisting of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and a number of committee members.  Meetings are held monthly and the club's annual general meeting is held in November of each year.
Emerald Junior Soccer Association Inc. is affiliated with the Central Queensland Junior Soccer Association Inc. and the Queensland Junior Soccer Council Inc. 

The original clubhouse was constructed in 1980.  The club operated successfully from this building for a number of years, but due to increased membership and activity, it became increasingly difficult to operate a canteen as well as all other activities from this building. 
In 1991, plans were drawn up for a new clubhouse and construction commenced.  1992 saw the completion of a project to provide lighting to the main field and in 1993, co-operation between the Emerald Shire Council and members resulted in the completion of changing rooms with shower facilities.

Barraclough Shield

The Barraclough Shield is Emerald Junior Soccer Association’s annual inter club competition.  The competition has been held for a number of years but did not have an identity until 1990.  Chris Barraclough, one of the Association’s founding player members and a former coach and President, decided to donate a perpetual trophy and since that year the carnival has been known as the Barraclough Shield. 

The Barraclough Shield is a perpetual aggregate shield, won each year by the club accruing the highest points from matches played on the day.

Past strength of the Association

For a decade between 1985 and 1995, a combination of strong membership numbers in the older age groups, skilled coaches and a significant number of talented players resulted in the Association having a higher than average percentage of representative players in Central Queensland teams.  In 1994 for example, the Association was represented at the Under 14 Talent Identification Series in Mackay by Darryl Anderson, David Enfantie, Nathan Daveson, Dane Griffiths, Doug Cook and Calvin Gnech.  These Emerald players made up 38% of the team.  A number of other talented players also represented Emerald in other age groups during this time, including Brad Anderson, Malcolm Mann, Craig Rackemann, Lee Enfantie and Dane Smith