FOOTBALL in Coolum is growing and this year the Coolum Football Club (Coolum FC) were recognised for their hard work and were the recipients of the 2024 Football Queensland Sunshine Coast Community Club of the Year Award.
The award is a testament to the club’s drive and determination and after almost folding a year earlier, the fledgling club did an about-turn and literally kicked some major goals to secure the viability of the club.
The award was presented at the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) Grand Final by Football Queensland, with Club President Melinda Williams and Club Secretary Natalie Thompson accepting the honour.
“We were so proud to receive this award,” Mel stated.
“Once we decided to fight for the club, everything started to fall into place. The community stepped up like never before — with volunteers, sponsors, and supporters rallying behind us.”
In 2023, the club was on the verge of folding – struggling with insufficient funding and a lack of volunteers, Mel and Nat got to work to turn the club around and ensure its longevity.
Just like the game, the resurgence of the club was a team effort.
“The Management Committee really helped us get back on track and the support from local families, businesses, and community groups has been overwhelming, and as a result, the club has now grown to over 670 members, plus countless families.”
The club’s turnaround has also been supported by a growing number of local sponsors, some government grants being won and the Coolum Lions Club, who stepped in after a recent vandalism incident. Their efforts, alongside strong advocacy from Cr Maria Suarez, have allowed the club to improve its facilities, ensuring that members of all ages can enjoy football in Coolum.
However, there’s still work to be done, and the club is in the process of a feasibility study to establish an All-Abilities team, an addition that would provide football opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
“We’ve had a small amount of interest in the All-Abilities team, but we need more participants to get it off the ground – we are calling on the community to step forward to make this dream a reality,” Mel said.
Looking ahead, Coolum FC is gearing up for their 50th Anniversary next year, a milestone that will be celebrated throughout the year.
The club also looked back recently via their ‘Legacy Night’ where they honoured the founding families who helped establish the club.
“Legacy Night was a wonderful way to bring the community together and pay tribute to those who built the foundation of our club,” Mel said.
“The Daines, Bruce, Campbell, and Blacklaw families were some of the families recognised and we want to ensure that these contributions are always remembered. This is something we plan to continue annually.”
Looking forward to 2025, the club is busy planning a series of improvements, including renovations to the clubhouse and fencing upgrades. The anniversary celebrations will be a focal point for the year, and the club is asking the community to continue their support to ensure the club’s continued success.
Registrations are now open for the 2025 season and the club also has a position available for a canteen convenor. For more information or to register, please email secretary@coolumfc.com.au