The Club Changer Program is a Football Australia initiative aimed at improving club qualities across the country. Multiple clubs across the Hills Football Association take part in the program, with one recently being recognised for the work they have done at raising their clubs’ standards and providing a better-quality experience for their members.
Outlined by Football Australia, the Club Changer Program aims to protect and enhance clubs, make them stronger and more resilient. Lead them in building welcoming and inclusive cultures, and educate them on positive environments for players, coaches, volunteers, and officials while planning for long-term viability and success.
Working in partnership with Football NSW, Hills Football member clubs design and set plans that direct the future growth of their clubs, to improve them and raise national standards.
“The Club Changer Program exists at the Rouse Hill Rams as a formalised action Plan that we’ve implemented with the assistance of FNSW,” Rouse Hill Rams Club Coach Mark McKee said.
“The program has given us structure and clarity around our intentions to become a better club, in as many areas as possible. It has provided formalised and quantifiable goals for the club to aim towards, which is important in a volunteer-run organisation.”
“Since our engagement in 1-star, then expanding into 2-star accreditation, we have developed clearer processes and broader education in areas such as: Safeguarding, Female Football, Member Participation, Coach and Player Development/Pathways.”
The Rams currently lead the way in the Hills region, being the only club in the association to achieve the level two-star rating. Graded on a three-star system, clubs can unlock benefits and incentives that they can utilise to further develop their capacity and capability as they progress through the star awards.
Seven other clubs across the Hills have been awarded the one-star rating, including the Box Hills Rangers, who were also recognised by Football NSW as the state’s Club Changer Club of the Month for March.
“We were incredibly proud to receive the recognition from Football NSW – it’s so rewarding to see the efforts of our volunteers acknowledged,” Box Hill Rangers President Lisa Macklin said.
“The award reflects a collective commitment to creating an environment where every player and family feels welcome, supported and connected.”
Clubs that participate in the program have increasingly found new and exciting opportunities to grow their clubs and further community involvement. Thus, the work being conducted off the field is ultimately paying dividends on the weekend and fostering stronger community ties across the region.
“Community football clubs are about much more than what happens during a match on a weekend. They are places where friendships are formed; families connect, volunteers contribute, and people develop a genuine sense of belonging,” Macklin said.
“Club Changer has helped us be more deliberate about creating that environment and ensuring that, as we continue to grow, those values remain at the heart of everything we do.”
“By simply starting the process, it eventually creates momentum and increases engagement. We started off with very little knowledge of the program itself, and we now have members asking questions like: ‘What do we need to get to 3-Star?’ ‘How can my area of expertise help?’” McKee said.
“Ultimately, the player experience is central in everything we do, and all of these benefits help create a more stable and well-run organisation, from which we can provide a better environment for our players to thrive within.”
