Northern NSW Football is pleased to announce Wallsend FC as its Club Changer of the Month for September.
Club Changer is Football Australia’s Club Development program, which aims to enhance clubs for long-term viability and success.
The month’s Club Changer focus was governance, particularly committees and leadership.
Wallsend FC almost folded in late 2023 but stronger governance put the club in a position to plan, improve and build for the future.
A key part of Wallsend’s governance was bringing its premier and community teams together rather than operating them as separate parts of the club. Greater collaboration allowed the club to draw on the experience and strengths of both areas and make decisions that benefited the entire organisation.
Wallsend’s committee gave members clear areas of responsibility and greater accountability while maintaining a collaborative approach.
The committee discussed significant decisions collectively, keeping the club’s broader interests and long-term sustainability at the centre of its decision making.
Wallsend also worked to ensure the club could continue to grow and improve beyond the people serving on its current committee. The club involved more community members, supported coaches, managers and volunteers and developed systems that future committees could build on.
That approach changed the way the club viewed governance. While the process was not a short-term project, the committee introduced new systems, strengthened existing processes and built on the work completed the previous year.
Through its governance reforms, Wallsend created a whole-of-club approach that brought its premier, community and junior programs together as representatives of the local football community. The approach strengthened relationships across the club and created a stronger foundation for the future.
Wallsend FC treasurer Mitchell Ryan highlighted the role governance played in rebuilding the club.
“In the last three years, Wallsend have gone from a club that was ready to be wound up to a club that is currently getting bigger,” Ryan said.
“Through governance reform, the club has tightened controls and brought in systems to establish youth.
“Each year through reform, the club is engaging in more sophisticated agendas as new systems take place to continually help the club for the better.”
Newcastle Football General Manager Chris Brain praised Wallsend FC’s ability to balance its premier and community programs.
“Governance in any football club run by volunteers is sometimes the most difficult function. When a club has a dual focussed premier and community model like Wallsend FC, these challenges lean towards differing markets, expectations and financial commitments,” Brain said.
“Wallsend seem to have found a blend, thanks to focussed management and fluid leadership to navigate the journey in the best interest of its members, whether they be Coles MiniRoos, JDL or premier senior players.
“We congratulate them on being recognised as a Club Changer of the Month recipient.”
For more information on Football Australia’s Club Changer program, visit NNSWF Club Changer or contact bhodgekiss@nnswf.com.au.