Joining the FQPL system in 2022, Yeronga Eagles have achieved unprecedented success, pulling off back-to-back-to-back promotions. But long before the accolades, the club was built on something far deeper than results.
Started in the late 1980s by Salvadoran refugees with limited resources, the founding members of the Eagles sought familiarity, connection, and a sense of home in their new country after fleeing El Salvador amidst a civil war.
The club has never been the biggest or richest club, but is instead built on identity, heart, and a strong sense of family.
“The idea of family and legacy to me, isn’t just symbolic, it becomes the foundation on which everything is built,” Club President Julio Menendez said.
“Sense of community, family and belonging is embedded in everything we do.”
These values and ethics fostered at Yeronga Eagles remain the lifeblood of the club today. The club’s rise through the Football Queensland pyramid has been powered by the selfless hard work of volunteers, who possess a deep willingness to help build something bigger than themselves.
“Today’s volunteers – often children or grandchildren of the founders – are following in the footsteps of our migrant founders, helping expand the club’s programs, maintain facilities, coordinate matches, and support hundreds of players,” Menendez said.
“Their hard work is the engine room of the club.”
Although it has been over three decades since the club was founded, the Salvadoran spirit and national pride still runs strongly through the Eagles. While the club today has become a hub for multiculturalism, Menendez wants all its members to still feel that vibrant Salvadoran spirit, whilst setting an example for other ethnic communities who are starting their footballing journeys in Australia.
“When someone steps onto the pitch at Yeronga, their story – whether it’s from El Salvador, Africa, Europe, or Asia – doesn’t need to be explained. The language of football is universal. I’ve seen players who didn’t speak English on day one find their place in a team simply by sharing a pass, a celebration, a laugh,” Menendez said.
“Many migrants and refugees arrive in Australia after trauma or long periods of instability. Football gives them something powerful: routine, rules, responsibility. Training twice a week. Showing up for your team. Wearing the same jersey as someone who grew up here. I am proud to represent my community, not only through being Salvadoran, but through football.”
Menendez is passionate about Yeronga Eagles being recognised for its Salvadoran roots. This national pride, introduced by its migrant founders, has been a cornerstone of the club, and one of the key factors that has propelled it on such a stark and upwards trajectory.
“We want players that come to Yeronga to feel part of that! Whilst the club is proudly multicultural today, its Salvadoran foundation brings a rich cultural thread that unites people through music, food, language, and values like family, humility, and hard work,” Menendez said.
There is no doubt that the culture created, and the values instilled in the Eagles have culminated in great success on the pitch; success that Menendez is most humbled and proud of.
“Looking back on the club’s rise since joining the FQ pyramid in 2022, I feel a mix of pride, gratitude, and deep responsibility. Three consecutive promotions for our FQPL Men’s Squad aren’t just a sporting achievement – it’s a reflection of decades of groundwork, sacrifice, and belief in something bigger than football,” Menendez said.
“Seeing Yeronga Eagles move from community-level competition into the structured FQ system – and then thrive – is something I don’t take for granted.”
With strong foundations rooted in Salvadoran traditions and a commitment to inclusivity and excellence, Yeronga Eagles continue to flourish as a beloved institution in Queensland’s football landscape.
The club, and Menendez, are showing no signs of slowing down as they continue to expand their programs and grow the club internally.
“What we had – and still have – is heart. That’s what’s propelled us forward and what I genuinely believe will keep pushing us forward, not only for men, but for our women’s and junior programs,” Menendez said.
As we celebrate the contributions of refugees within our game as part of Refugee Week, Yeronga Eagles FC stands as a fantastic example of the power of community football, and shows how our game serves as a vehicle of inclusion, acceptance, and belonging for refugees and migrants who are finding their feet in a new country.
