Southern & Ettalong United FC Named Football NSW’s Club Changer Club of the Month for November

Football NSW has announced Central Coast Football’s Southern & Ettalong United Football Club (SEUFC) as its Club Changer Club of the Month for November.

The Club Changer Program, developed by Football Australia, is designed to protect, enhance, and future-proof community football clubs by strengthening their structures, sustainability, and long-term success.

Central Coast Football CEO Alex Burgin congratulated SEUFC on being recognised for its exceptional commitment to volunteerism, a core value that underpins the club’s continued success both on and off the field.

“Volunteerism is the heartbeat of Southern & Ettalong United Football Club, and it is the reason the club continues to thrive, grow, and maintain a strong sense of community,” said Burgin.

“Everything they do is powered by people who give their time, energy, and skills because they genuinely care about the club and the families within it.”

With fifteen 1-Star and two 2-Star clubs within its footprint, Central Coast Football continues to demonstrate strong engagement with the Club Changer Program, reflecting a region-wide commitment to growth, sustainability, and excellence in club development.

Stevie Skene, President of Southern & Ettalong United FC, said the award reflects the club’s deeply ingrained culture of volunteerism, where every member contributes to the running and success of the club.

“At SEUFC, every member of our community is a volunteer in some capacity,” said Skene. “Parents step into coaching roles, often for teams that don’t include their own children, while players give back by coaching younger age groups, assisting with training sessions, and supporting club events.

“Our Men’s and Women’s Premier League players and coaching staff are heavily involved at junior level, volunteering at every school holiday development camp and coaching our A grade junior academy teams from Under 10s through to Under 15s. This connection between senior and junior football is a defining part of our culture and strengthens the sense of belonging across the entire club.”

Skene also paid tribute to the countless volunteers who work behind the scenes to keep the club running every week.

“Parents and coaches run the barbecue, help in the canteen, set up fields, pack away equipment, manage teams, and support club events. Our life members continue to serve long after their own children have left the club, continuing roles they have proudly held for decades. Their loyalty and leadership help future-proof SEUFC by modelling the values we want the next generation to carry forward.

“One of the core reasons SEUFC is so successful is that the club genuinely belongs to its members. We treat the club as a community asset, not a business, and our volunteers take pride in protecting, improving, and growing it for the next generation. There is a shared sense of ownership that drives people to step up, help out, and contribute wherever they can.

“Our commitment to volunteerism is reinforced through a culture of recognition, support, and genuine gratitude. We celebrate the contributions of volunteers at every opportunity and actively recruit and mentor new volunteers to strengthen our community for years to come.

“SEUFC is successful because of the people behind it. Our volunteers are the reason we can offer a welcoming, inclusive, and well-run club environment where every player can learn, grow, and feel part of something special. Southern’s strength has always been its people, and our volunteers represent the very best of who we are.”

Football NSW’s Program Manager of Club Development, Trevor Huxley, praised SEUFC for exemplifying the principles of the Club Changer initiative.

“Southern & Ettalong United Football Club is a fantastic case study of a club that thrives in the volunteer space,” said Huxley. “It’s wonderful to see such a positive, inclusive, and welcoming culture that extends through every level of the club.”

Through its people-first approach and unwavering volunteer spirit, Southern & Ettalong United FC continues to set a benchmark for community football, a shining example of how strong club culture can drive sustainable success on and off the field.

Interested Clubs can direct Club Changer enquiries to trevorh@footballnsw.com.au or visit the Football NSW Club Changer webpage.