The history of football in the Pilbara is an important part of the social fabric which makes a place special.
Recently Bill Knox from Sydney contacted me to discuss the history of Pilbara football. Bill originally worked in Newman and played football in the Newman National Football League (NNFL), the BP Championships and remembered Colin Matheson, the President of De Grey Football League.
NNFL has it’s history recorded on a website about the history of the town of Newman, edited by a local historian. Here’s an extract:
In Newman, back in late 1969, the very first game of Australian Football was played on Boomerang Oval on rough terrain without grass.
The teams were made up of anyone game enough to don a guernsey. The rules were played to suit, due to the number of Gaelic competitors.
During 1970 and throughout 1971 friendly Sunday games and an End of Year Trip paved the way for the formation of the association.
Saturday 6th May 1972 was the first official game of the inaugural season of the NNFA.
Three teams emerged: Centrals, Tigers and Saints. In 1975 a fourth team named Pioneers joined the competition.
Footy was to become a significant part of Newman’s social and sporting history.
by Lisa Rickert, long term resident of Newman
For more amazing history of Pilbara football go to: http://newmanhistory6753.com/?page_id=138
North Pilbara Football League History 
Bill coached Centrals in Newman when I was there in 1975 Julie. Solid as a rock! He played 50 league games for East Fremantle from 1968 – 1970
I don’t suppose you are able to access the records of the other part of Pilbara footy – the West Pilbara Football League (1972 to 1976). In particular 1976. I don’t know what the Sharks, the Kats or the Wolves have and being so far away (in Victoria) it’ll be hard to get there to check myself.