The sporting history of the Midland Oval is a long one and integrally bound with the town of Midland which was created out of private development in 1891, rather than government subdivision.
Weeip Park, part of Midlands big backyard, highlights some of Midlands extensive sporting history.
In conjunction with Nature Play WA, the City of Swan has created a Play Trail app to explore the sporting history of Midland at Weeip Park.
Unlock site specific content, complete challenges, solve quiz questions and score points with the Nature Play WA Play Trails app.
Click here for the link to download the Apple and Android app: Play Trails App - Nature Play WA
Sporting History Of New Junction
Stand at the stadium wall and look up at the structures over your head. There are three sports recognised - the jumper numbers are football, the ball represents cricket and bicycle wheels for cycling.
The Midland Junction Recreation Ground was formally opened by the Mayor Alexander Ernest Watt on 21 October 1901 was primarily used for football and cricket. Cycling increased in popularity, with a velodrome built around the outside of the oval. Midland hosted the Australian Professional Track Cycling Championships in 1949, over 5,000 people watched the final.
The stadium wall recognises 9 different sports played at the Midland Oval - cycling, cricket, football, boxing, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, athletics and baseball.
Football
As you walk around Weeip Park you'll notice highlights of black and yellow in the brick walls and at the Youth Zone. The colour scheme pays homage to the original Midland Junction Football Club, who wore black and gold hooped jumpers and were Premiership winners in 1911.
Nicknamed the Railways, the club played in the WAFL from 1905 to 1910 and again from 1914 to 1917.
The club disbanded in 1917 as many of their players signed up to fight in World War I.
Lawn Bowls
In 1907 Messrs J Horton, W R Crosbie, V J Duthie and P Sampson called a public meeting to lay down a green on a portion of the Midland Oval. In Midland Junction joined the WA Bowling Association in 1909, one of a total of 12 metropolitan and six country clubs.
“ …they had a little wooden shack and no licence. …there wasn’t room to do anything…It was only men then, there were no women in the club them days – no women’s club…”
Wally Davis 1911
Midland Morrison Bowling Club was relocated to its current location at North Swan Park in January 2000.
Cycling
In 1899 The West Australian runs an article about the Helena Vale Bicycle Club, the then premier Sir John Forrest paid a visit to the Helena Vale (which becomes Midland) municipality when he opened the public hall at Midland Junction.
n 1900 the Midland Cycle Club is formed under the name of Guildford-Midland Cycle Club.
The first cycle track at Midland Oval was laid in 1906, a new and improved cycling track was constructed in 1935.
In 1949 one of the heats of the Australian Professional Track Cycling Championships were held at Midland Oval, five thousand people packed the Oval.
The replacement Speeddome opened in 1989
Cricket
By 1903 a Midland Junction team joined the B Grade state competition, and in 1919 the wicket was laid on the Midland Oval.By 1914/15 other players from the Swan Districts area joined and the club’s name was changed to Midland Swan.
No teams competed during WW1 as many members went to war.
In 1979, the club relocated to Lilac Park, Guildford, after 60 years on Midland Oval.
