“It’s a family bond,” says current player Kaelah Austin.

While the Rays may only be 10 years young this season, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

Their first decade has been marked by several highs and lows which unsurprisingly have brought everyone around the club closer together. The most significant of those came in 2011.

Just two months after the tragic passing of well-loved striker Ashleigh Connor in a car accident, the Stingrays went on to seal an emotion-charged third straight NSW Premier League title.

The legacy of the season stays with the club to this day.

“Knowing that you are going to have that AC [initials] on your shoulder every time you go out on the field, you are playing for her with that Stingrays [badge],” Austin said.

“It’s a strong bond and you really can’t break it.”

That bond is something Sarah Shaw knows all too well as one of the few that have been at the club since it’s inaugural season in 2006.

“We are definitely a close knit club,” Shaw, who has been a player, coach and committee member, said.

“We are often called the family club because we catch up at soccer, away from soccer. We have had our ups and downs and when those downs are around we are always here supporting each other and helping out.”

The Stingrays journey began a decade ago when they were forced to go out on their own following the demise of the Wollongong Wolves women’s side two years earlier. While they found some success early on, it was in 2008 when the ball truly got rolling.

A State League title in 2008 before securing a remarkable hat-trick of NSW Premier League Crowns between 2009 and 2011 set the tone for a successful future.

“To see what the club has achieved, going from a small team up at Ian McLennan to be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League [is amazing],” Shaw said.

“It is a massive achievement and it could only be done with the support of all the players, committee, sponsors and people like Rob McKie, Mick Woods and Brett Wallin, who make the club what it is.”

Perhaps one of the Stingrays’ biggest achievements has been its ability to consistently develop and nurture top level talent throughout their history. Two of the club’s current players, Caitlin Cooper and Michelle Heyman, are in the running to be selected for Rio 2016 later this year and Rays’ junior Caitlin Foord also looks to be on her way to the Olympics.

Add in W-League talent like veteran star Michelle Carney, Erica Halloway and Jordan Baker as well as several Young Matildas and Australian Schoolgirl reps and there can be no debate about Illawarra’s status as a haven for elite talent.

“We’ve grown to develop quality players that not only play in the national league but play for the national team as well," Shaw said.

The Illawarra Stingrays will celebrate their 10 year anniversary at Collegians Red Dog in Figtree on Friday night.

They drew 0-0 against Marconi Stallions on Thursday night and play North Shore Mariners at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday.