Founded in 1950 by Dutch immigrants led by Henk Beumer, the Windmills Soccer Club began as a recreational outlet for the local Dutch community in Perth. The club was accepted into the Third Division of the Western Australian Soccer Football Association (WASFA) in 1951 and steadily progressed, earning promotion to the Second Division in 1954.
In 1960, Windmills was among eight clubs that broke away from WASFA to form the Soccer Federation of Western Australia (SFWA), initiating a semi-professional league where Windmills finished as runners-up in its inaugural season.
The club underwent significant changes in 1973, merging with the Morley Soccer Club and adopting the name Morley-Windmills. This merger coincided with the relocation to Wotton Reserve in Embleton, where the club continues to thrive.
Throughout its history, Morley-Windmills has been home to several notable figures:
- Henk Beumer: Born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, in 1919, Henk immigrated to Australia in 1950. Shortly after his arrival in Perth, he led the establishment of the Windmills Soccer Club, creating a recreational outlet for the local Dutch community. Beyond his role in club development, Henk significantly contributed to soccer administration in Western Australia. From 1978 to 1986, he served on various sub-committees within the Soccer Federation of WA, including a tenure as senior vice-president in 1981. In recognition of his substantial contributions, Henk was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame Western Australia in 2002.
- John Castrilli: John has been a cornerstone of Morley-Windmills Soccer Club for over 50 years, serving in various capacities including player, coach, committee member, and president. His father was Italian and his mother Dutch. In his youth, he briefly trialed with FC Utrecht in the Netherlands before returning to Perth to continue his involvement with the club. Under his leadership, the club achieved promotion to the first division in 2017.
- Colin van Wyngaarden: Colin was a prominent player during the club’s early years, particularly between 1959 and 1964. His dedication to the club earned him life membership, and he has been acknowledged in club communications for his efforts in supporting and promoting the club’s activities.
- Cees Scheepens: Cees was a key player during Windmills’ heyday in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was twice selected to represent Western Australia and was among the top goal scorers in the 1964 season, netting 13 goals.
- Pieter Leeflang: Pieter has been a significant figure in the Dutch community in Western Australia. He served as secretary and later president of the Dutch Society Neerlandia, contributing to the establishment of the Federation of Dutch Clubs and Associations in WA. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2014 and was knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau by the Dutch government in 2023.
- Richard Woldendorp: Renowned photographer Richard Woldendorp also played for the Windmills Soccer Club. His involvement in the club highlights the diverse talents and contributions of its members beyond the football field.
- John Van Oosten was a dedicated player for Windmills during the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his reliability and team spirit, he contributed to the club’s success both on and off the field. His commitment earned him respect within the Windmills community, and he remained actively involved in supporting the club long after his playing days.
- Archie Van Dongen was a key figure during Windmills’ strong years in the 1960s. A hardworking and versatile player, he was part of the squad that competed in the top levels of Western Australian football. Archie’s involvement helped strengthen the club’s Dutch identity and foster a sense of community among players and supporters.
Today (2025), Morley-Windmills competes in Division 1 of the West Australian State League and remains the oldest surviving football club with Dutch roots in Australia. The club continues to embrace its multicultural identity, welcoming players and supporters from various nationalities, and upholding its dedication to the sport and community spirit.
See also website.
Sportblad S.C. Windmills
“Sportblad S.C. Windmills” was a Dutch-language publication that was established in Perth, Australia in 1958. It was the official publication of the Dutch soccer club S.C. “Windmills,” which was also founded in 1958 to serve the Dutch community in Perth and surrounding areas.
The publication focused on soccer news and events related to S.C. “Windmills,” as well as news from the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking regions. It also featured articles on topics such as Dutch culture and community news.
“Sportblad S.C. Windmills” was published on a regular basis and was distributed to members of the Dutch soccer club as well as to other Dutch migrants living in Perth. The publication played an important role in keeping members of the Dutch community in Perth informed about soccer events and other news related to the club and the broader Dutch community.
See also: Clogball
