Residing as the association’s most northern-based team in Glenorie, Hills Pumas FC has undergone transformational changes over the past five years to better serve their community, provide better equipment for their players and draw people back to the 27-year-old club.
Founded in 1999, Hills Pumas was born out of very unique circumstances and one unlike any other club in the association.
The Pumas were founded by a group of Year 9 students from the Pacific Hills Christian School who wanted to play football regularly with their mates. The students created a survey asking for expressions of interest at the school for possible players and due to an overwhelming response, a committee of teachers and parents was formed, which led to the establishment of Hills Pumas FC.
Since then, the club has served the junior footballers of the Glenorie area, housing teams from U6’s to U13’s and offering Hills programs such as the Little Legends, ensuring that their roots are preserved and honoured in everything they do.
Though coming out of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the club fell on some hard times, needing new guidance and more help. The club went in search of new volunteers that could help revamp the club’s identity and display stronger unity both on and off the field.
“When Covid happened, the club was just kind of moving along, and it was run by two committee members that had been in the club for 20 odd years,” Hills Pumas President Anthony Biasi said.
“So [the two remaining committee members], put out the call [for new members to join the committee and help lead a new direction for the club.]”
“The new committee came in with new enthusiasm and renewed hope [to make the club] a bit more professional. We wanted to get the community back into the club and get everyone involved again.”
“We started trying to get some good sponsorships, the gear and the uniforms up to where they should be, so that the kids enjoy a good environment.”
Five years on from their transformation, the club is aiming to grow their member base and offer the chance for more kids to play football out of their picturesque Les Shore Oval.
“One of the things that I constantly hear from other clubs is when you come out to the Les Shore Oval. It has a really good vibe. The fields are amazing; however, we only use about 5% of the land we have,” Biasi said.
“We’re a strong community-based club with great support and just want to help the development of the game that we all enjoy.”
