For anyone who doubts the commitment and passion of the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) you only have to speak to Matt Adamson, an avid NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers football fan and dedicated member of the RBB, who has orchestrated an army of followers who will attend this Saturday’s local derby W-League clash against Sydney FC.
For anyone who doubts the commitment and passion of the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) you only have to speak to Matt Adamson, an avid NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers football fan and dedicated member of the RBB, who has orchestrated an army of followers who will attend this Saturday-s local derby W-League clash against Sydney FC.
Due to the possibility of heat wave conditions, the game has been moved to a 10 am kick-off at Campbelltown Stadium – but that will not stop Adamson and his fellow supporters from attending the match and lending their colourful atmosphere to the occasion.
“We are definitely looking forward to the game,” says Adamson.
“It is something that we have wanted to do all season.
“We are going to bring our A-game and although we may have lost some numbers due to the change of time, we are going to try to make enough noise for a thousand.”
The inception of the RBB provides a telling story of a club that is deeply connected to its community – a somewhat unique attribute for a Hyundai A-League community.
This kind of devotion and passion is rarely seen in other sports.
How would the other codes love to have supporters of this calibre at the grounds every weekend!
What started off as a small seed of an idea, quickly germinated into a full bloom of black and red – dedicated Wanderers fans met on football forums to discuss their passion for the newly established club, then held community meetings where their numbers rapidly grew.
Fast-forward six months you have a sea of red and black traversing the business district of Parramatta from their local watering hole to the hallowed turf of Parramatta Stadium.
“It is fantastic to be a part of the RBB – we have a distinct style compared to other supporter bases,” says Adamson.
“We have a different philosophy than other clubs and we incorporate chants from all over the world to provide the best spectacle.”
It is clear that tapestry of Red, Black and White is woven from a different football fabric than other Hyundai A-League clubs.
They have quickly gained national and media attention for their unconditional support for their team.
“There is a strong ethos of community and hard work,” he says.
“The underdog tag serves a team representing the West well, and it is the whole ethos of the supporter base that drives the players and the club.”
Adamson says that he has witnessed the Wanderers W-League squad in action before and is very impressed with the standard of football of the women-s game.
“I am very impressed with the quality of football,” says Adamson. “
To be honest, I think that it is more advanced than the A-League in terms of where the league sits globally.
That is starting to show in the number of international players that W-League clubs are attracting.”
W-League coach Stephen Roche and Captain Sarah Walsh believe that the squad will undoubtedly be buoyed by the RBB-s presence in this week-s clash against rivals Sydney FC.
“It is such a strong supporter base and I think it is fantastic that the RBB are coming to support us,” says Walsh. “We are really ready for this local derby – bring it!”
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC Saturday 12 January 2013 10:00 am Campbelltown Stadium
