Club Changer is Football Australia’s Club Development Program which aims to protect and enhance our 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 (Football Australia 2025). Each month a club will be recognised for their efforts across various categories.
This month, the theme is ‘Women and Girls’. Football South Australia congratulates Mt Barker United Soccer Club on their selection as Club Changer Club of the Month for South Australia.
Mt Barker United Soccer Club has shown a significant commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls at their club. They currently field 2 teams in Football SA Women's Community Leagues, as well as 3 Junior Girls teams between the Adelaide Hills Junior Soccer Association and Football SA MiniRoos Leagues.
While the club has experienced growth in female participants on field, their major success has been off field. For the first time in the club’s history, they have an executive team made up entirely of women. This makes Mt Barker United Soccer Club one of the only clubs in South Australia to field an all-female board at a club that offers both men’s and women’s programs; highlighting their genuine commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all. This has been supported by their utilisation of the Club Changer Program, where they are currently a 2-Star accredited club.
Mt Barker United Soccer Club shared:
"Utilising the Club Changer Program has helped us as a club support Women and Girls by implementing programs to help develop and recognise achievement within our teams. Going through the 2 star process has allowed us to create clear plans and strategies to further develop our club. It has helped us direct the girls and ladies in a positive environment and by doing this, we have a strong young adult women's team who understand and support each other on field, as well as a board that supports them off field.
Click here for more information about the Club Changer program.