South Toowoomba Hawks has been named Football Queensland’s August Club Changer Club of the Month, recognised for its ongoing commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion and its work to ensure everyone in its football community feels welcome, valued and supported.
For South Toowoomba Hawks, inclusion is not simply a program or initiative. It is embedded in the culture of the club and reflected in the way players, coaches, volunteers and families are encouraged to contribute both on and off the field.
One of the club’s biggest successes over the past 12 months has been the growth of its girls’ soccer programs, with female players now making up almost 20 per cent of the club’s playing membership. Female representation extends beyond the playing field, with 43 per cent of the club’s coaches and managers now women.
The club has also seen strong engagement from culturally diverse families, with around 17 per cent of its playing group coming from non-English speaking backgrounds. Importantly, many of these families have gone on to become active volunteers, coaches, managers and contributors to club life.
For South Toowoomba Hawks, this growth in participation and leadership is helping create a club community that reflects the diversity of the people it serves.
The club’s commitment to inclusion also extends to making football accessible to local families. Registration fees are kept as affordable as possible, while players can borrow playing jerseys each season and families can access second-hand boots and equipment through club gear drives.
At junior level, the club places a strong emphasis on equal opportunity and participation. In its MiniRoos program, South Toowoomba Hawks actively promotes equal playing time, ensuring every child has the opportunity to participate, develop their skills and enjoy the game.
The club’s approach is deliberately focused on fun, development and inclusion rather than results alone.
This philosophy is also reflected in the club’s focus on behaviour and respect. South Toowoomba Hawks places a strong emphasis on its club values and believes character, sportsmanship and positive behaviour are just as important as what happens on the scoreboard.
One of the clearest signs of this culture can be found after matches, when players from different backgrounds, genders and abilities stay behind for informal kick-arounds and social connection.
These moments of connection are exactly what South Toowoomba Hawks is working to create, a football environment where people feel that they belong.
The club has also created additional pathways for young people to participate in the game through its club referee program. By encouraging and developing young referees, the club is providing opportunities for young people to build confidence and leadership skills while creating a pathway to remain involved in football beyond playing.
The Club Changer program has supported South Toowoomba Hawks in taking a more deliberate and structured approach to diversity, equality and inclusion. The program has encouraged the club to examine its culture, identify opportunities for improvement and develop practical actions that create a more welcoming environment for everyone.
It has also reinforced the idea that inclusion is an ongoing journey, providing resources, ideas and support to help the club continue strengthening initiatives that are already making a difference.
South Toowoomba Hawks encourages other clubs beginning their Club Changer journey to start by taking an honest look at their club culture and identifying where the greatest opportunities for improvement exist.
The club believes meaningful change does not have to happen all at once. Listening to members, engaging with the community and taking small, practical steps can make a significant difference.
Looking ahead, South Toowoomba Hawks will continue working to increase female participation, grow its volunteer base across all backgrounds and further develop its young referee pathway. The club also wants to strengthen its family-focused culture, remove barriers to participation and ensure soccer remains affordable and accessible to its community.
At its heart, South Toowoomba Hawks believes it is much more than a soccer club.
The club is committed to creating a community where people from different cultures, backgrounds, genders and abilities can come together and feel that they belong.
“We believe in fun and fairplay for all,” the club said.
“We are proud of the welcoming environment we have created, where volunteers, players and families all play an important role in the success of the club.”
Whether it is a first-time player, an experienced footballer, a parent volunteering their time or a new family settling into the community, South Toowoomba Hawks wants everyone to know there is a place for them at the club.
For the Hawks, success is not measured solely by results. It is measured by the strength of the community being built around the game.
Nothing captures that philosophy better than seeing children from different backgrounds, genders and abilities continuing to play together after their scheduled games have finished.
Those moments represent what South Toowoomba Hawks is striving to achieve: a club where football creates connection, belonging and community, and where everyone can feel safe, valued and proud to be a Hawk.
If your club is interested in learning more about the Club Changer program, please contact our Club Changer State Program Manager, Sean Kelly, at community@footballqueensland.com.au
