WT Birkalla has been recognised as this month’s Football Australia Club Changer Club of the Month for their outstanding commitment to embedding positive values and behaviours across their Girls and Women’s Program. With Values and Behaviours as the Club Changer theme, Birkalla’s approach reflects a truly whole club effort to develop respectful, resilient, and community-minded young people both on and off the pitch.
At the core of the program are the “Birks Values”, Respect, Effort, Team First, and Integrity. These values are introduced at the beginning of each season and continually reinforced through training, match day reflection, and weekly communication. One of the most meaningful platforms for this reinforcement is the BGs Newsletter, where player achievements, leadership examples, and moments of sportsmanship are shared across age groups.
A key initiative supporting these behaviours is Birkalla’s Positive Sidelines approach, which sets clear expectations for parents, coaches, and volunteers around supportive and respectful match day conduct. This has created a calm, encouraging environment for players to learn and enjoy the game. The impact is clear; the club’s 2025 Coaching Survey recorded a combined 98% positive rating for sideline behaviour from 198 respondents, and the Girls’ Program recorded zero referee or disciplinary reports for the season.
The Club Changer Program has provided structure and alignment. Birkalla has mapped the Club Changer pillars of Governance, Development, Environment, and Inclusion directly to the Birks Values, ensuring that the club’s philosophy is consistently reflected in coach education, code of conduct inductions, and expectations for players and parents. Respect and Responsibility modules have been incorporated into pre-season coaching workshops, while Club Changer signage and parent agreements support clear and shared behavioural standards. Regular communication, through both internal conversations and the BGs Newsletter, reinforces these values throughout the year.
To ensure progress remains meaningful, Birkalla conducts annual surveys among players, coaches, and parents. The 2024 survey found that 96% of players felt their coach promoted respect and teamwork, while 92% of parents agreed the club provides a positive and inclusive environment. These results guide decision-making and help shape development priorities for the season ahead.
The club has recorded player retention rates above 90% across all girls’ age groups, fielded its largest number of girls’ teams to date in 2025, and maintained strong commendations from referees and visiting clubs. Female leadership continues to grow throughout the program, reinforcing a culture where young women see opportunities to lead, contribute, and thrive.
Click here for more information about the Club Changer program.