Hurlstone Park Wanderers Named Club Changer Club of the Month
Football NSW has named Hurlstone Park Wanderers as its Club Changer Club of the Month for October, recognising the club’s outstanding commitment to creating a positive environment for players, officials, and supporters.
The Club Changer initiative is part of Football Australia’s Club Development Program, designed to support clubs in building long-term sustainability, resilience, and success.
Football Canterbury CEO Trent Thomas praised Hurlstone Park’s dedication to the program.
“With 21 one-star and eight two-star clubs, it’s fantastic to see such high engagement with Club Changer within the Football Canterbury region. We’re especially pleased to see Hurlstone Park leading the way in promoting community values and positive behaviours,” said Thomas.
“Hurlstone Park Wanderers is more than a club – it’s a family. For over a century, they’ve championed community engagement and upheld the spirit of grassroots football. Their commitment to best practice and innovation has set a benchmark for others to follow.”
One standout initiative from the club has been its “Silent Sidelines” program, aimed at improving sideline behaviour and creating a more supportive environment for young players.
“One of the key goals in our Club Changer plan was to improve sideline behaviour,” explained club president Rosalie Viney. “It’s not just about stopping negative comments, but about giving children—both players and young referees—the space to think, problem-solve, and communicate independently.”
Over two weekends, Hurlstone Park implemented the Silent Sidelines initiative across all small-sided games (U6–U13). Spectators—including parents and carers—were asked to remain silent during gameplay, with applause encouraged only at half-time and full-time. Coaches were also asked to limit communication to essential instructions such as substitutions.
“We wanted something more impactful than just roping off fields or relying on ground managers,” Viney said. “So we promoted the concept to visiting clubs, handed out lollipops to help keep mouths occupied, and used posters and flyers to spread the message. The response was overwhelmingly positive.”
“Some parents admitted they found it hard to stay quiet—and really needed the lollipops—but everyone appreciated the difference. You could actually hear the kids talking to each other on the pitch.”
Football NSW’s Program Manager for Club Development, Trevor Huxley, commended the club’s forward-thinking approach.
“It’s fantastic to see Hurlstone Park take such a proactive and innovative approach to tackling a widespread issue in community sport. Initiatives like Silent Sidelines help create a more positive and pressure-free environment for young players to thrive.”
Hurlstone Park Wanderers’ recognition as Club Changer Club of the Month highlights the importance of community-driven efforts in shaping the future of grassroots football.
Interested Clubs can direct Club Changer enquires to trevorh@footballnsw.com.au or visit the Football NSW Club Changer webpage.
