For Springfield United FC, building a strong football club is about more than what happens on the pitch. With more than 1,500 players and over 100 teams, the club relies on a committed network of volunteers, coaches, committee members and community partners to create opportunities for players at every level.
That commitment to strengthening the people behind the game has been a major focus for Springfield United over the past 12 months, earning the club Football Queensland’s Club Changer Club of the Month recognition for October in the Workforce and Volunteers category.
One of the club’s biggest wins has been the development of its junior referee program, giving young people the opportunity to learn the laws of the game, build confidence and take on new responsibilities.
“Watching these young kids step up, learn the rules, develop their skills and grow in confidence has been fantastic,” said Springfield United FC Vice President Steven White. “Refereeing isn’t always easy, particularly at a young age, but the way they’ve taken on the responsibility and improved throughout the season has been something we’re proud of.”
The program reflects the club’s broader approach to workforce development, creating opportunities for young people to contribute beyond playing and helping build the next generation of football officials.
Springfield United has also worked to strengthen its leadership structure and make volunteering more manageable. Led by a volunteer Executive Team and Board, the club benefits from the experience of long-serving members while continuing to introduce dedicated roles that provide greater support across its programs.
Positions including Junior Coordinator, Youth Ambassador and Referee Coordinator give players, parents and volunteers clearer points of contact, while a broader restructuring of club operations has helped define responsibilities and distribute workloads more effectively.
The club has also recruited experienced volunteers into key leadership positions, including Technical Directors and Program Heads, alongside wellbeing and support roles. Coach development remains another priority, with mentoring, professional development, accreditation support, planning resources and course funding helping volunteer coaches build their skills and confidence.
Operational improvements have extended to the club’s volunteer Goal Monitors, with responsibilities shared across a team rather than falling to individuals. Springfield United also recognises the people who contribute throughout the season through an annual end-of-season function, bringing together coaches, managers, committee members, sponsors and volunteers to celebrate their efforts and strengthen connections across the club.
Creating a stronger connection between different parts of the club has been equally important. Increased integration between junior players and the senior QPL Men’s and Women’s programs helps build a shared club culture, gives younger players role models to aspire to and opens up further opportunities for senior players to volunteer and support the next generation.
These initiatives sit alongside wider improvements to the club’s football development and governance. In 2026, Springfield United introduced a multidisciplinary coaching structure within its Academy program, supported by technical leads and specialist coaching, and implemented an XPS Player Management System to help coaches monitor player progress, manage training programs and improve communication.
The club has also made significant improvements to its Football Queensland audit outcomes, demonstrating its commitment to continual improvement and best-practice standards. Recognition at the Child Safety Awards, where Springfield United received a Highly Commended award for its contribution to safeguarding, further reflects the work being undertaken to strengthen player welfare and create a safe environment for participants. The club was also named a finalist in the Ipswich City Council Sports Awards in the Sporting Organisation of the Year category.
Club Changer has played an important role in supporting this work. According to club secretary Natalie Matthews, the program’s insights and resources have helped Springfield United develop more focused strategies for its female football program, with an emphasis on participation, player pathways and increasing female representation in leadership and coaching.
The framework has also supported the club’s safeguarding journey, helping it develop action plans covering child safety, volunteer screening, education and awareness, reporting procedures and the creation of a safe, positive environment for everyone involved.
For Springfield United treasurer Stephanie Ponting, the value of Club Changer lies in giving clubs practical tools to assess their operations and plan for the future.
“The Club Changer toolbox and learning modules give clubs practical tools and ideas to either build new systems and processes or review what they’re already doing,” Ponting said.
“For busy volunteer-run clubs, it’s easy to become focused on the day-to-day challenges and miss important areas such as governance, safeguarding, volunteer development, or strategic planning. Club Changer helps bring those areas back into focus by providing simple resources, templates and guidance that help clubs work smarter, identify gaps, and plan for the future.”
With the greater Springfield and Western Corridor community continuing to grow, the club is focused on building a sustainable organisation that can keep pace with demand while remaining accessible and welcoming. Its priorities include strengthening governance, pursuing grant opportunities to improve facilities and resources, and maintaining opportunities across junior, senior, social and Over 35s and Over 45s football.
President Mark Gill said the club was proud of its growth and the people who make it possible, from those supporting the Little Springers program through to coaches and volunteers working across the club’s Academy and senior pathways.
Springfield United is also looking to build stronger commercial partnerships with local businesses, moving beyond traditional sponsorship arrangements to create opportunities that benefit members and the wider community. These relationships could connect young players with employment and work experience, provide access to education and services, and help local businesses build meaningful connections with club families.
“Football will always be at the centre of what we do, but there’s a much bigger opportunity for the club to make a positive impact off the field as well,” Gill said.
For Springfield United, workforce and volunteer development is not just about filling positions. It is about creating clear pathways for people to contribute, supporting them to develop their skills, recognising their efforts and building a club culture where everyone has a role to play.
Through its investment in young referees, coach development, stronger leadership structures and safeguarding, Springfield United is working to ensure that its continued growth is supported by the people and systems needed to sustain it.
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
