Coolum Football Club has been named Football Queensland’s Club Changer of the Month for March 2025, following its significant growth and commitment to fostering community engagement on the Sunshine Coast.
The Club Changer initiative is part of Football Australia’s national Club Development Program, which aims to help clubs strengthen, become more inclusive, and develop sustainable practices. The program also focuses on providing pathways for long-term success.
Coolum FC President, Melinda Williams, expressed pride in the club’s achievements, attributing the recognition to the community’s dedication.
“This award reflects the entire Coolum community’s commitment to the club,” Williams said. “We are a club that genuinely represents and reflects the spirit of Coolum. Like the people here, we’re welcoming and easygoing, but we work hard and take care of one another.”
Despite Coolum’s relatively small population of around 15,000, the club has experienced tremendous growth, with over 700 registered players across 60 teams in 2025, spanning from Under 6s to Masters. This marks a 25% increase in player registrations over the past two years, including a near 33% rise in female participation.
“Anyone wanting to connect with the community in our little corner of the Sunshine Coast will find Coolum Football Club a great place to start,” Williams added.
The club’s impressive growth is matched by its ambitious plans off the field. In 2025, Coolum FC is celebrating its 50th anniversary and focusing on much-needed upgrades to its facilities. This includes a major change room redevelopment supported by the Federal Government’s Play Our Way grant and improvements to the playing fields to create one of the best surfaces on the Coast.
“While we’re celebrating 50 years, we’re just getting started, with big plans to take the club to the next level in the coming years,” Williams said.
The Club Changer program has been instrumental in guiding the club’s development.
“There’s so much to do at Coolum Football Club, it can feel overwhelming,” Williams said. “As a volunteer-run community club, it’s difficult to move beyond the basics. The Club Changer program helps us prioritize and focus on the actions that will make the biggest impact.”
Williams encourages other clubs to consider the Club Changer program, offering simple advice: “Just start! It may seem like just another task on a long list, but what you gain from the program will save you time in the long run.”
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