Spring Hills FC made an early and strategic commitment to the Club Changer Program in 2023, ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup. With strong support from the senior men’s and boys’ programs at Springside Reserve, the club placed a significant focus on promoting opportunities for women and girls in football.
In 2023, Spring Hills FC fielded 101 female participants. By 2024, this number had grown to 176, reflecting the club’s intentional investment in creating inclusive, welcoming pathways for women and girls. The committee’s vision was simple but powerful: to provide opportunities for everyone to participate in football.
This vision has driven remarkable growth. By the end of the 2025 season, the club had grown to more than 550 players, representing a 28% increase in participation over two seasons. This success is a direct result of the club’s leadership, commitment, and strong alignment with the Club Changer Program.
Spring Hills FC has also delivered the Coles MiniRoos & MiniTillies Program, attracting young girls to the game in a safe, fun and confidence-building environment. The program has strengthened grassroots participation while also helping expand the club’s volunteer base at Springside Reserve.
The club actively celebrates Female Football Week, using social media and community engagement to highlight the contributions of women and girls in football, share stories from within the club, and encourage new players and families to get involved.
A major milestone for the club has been its commitment to developing female leaders within the game. Spring Hills FC has made history within the National Premier Leagues Women’s Victoria structure by becoming the first club to have all junior NPLW teams coached entirely by female coaches. This achievement reflects the club’s dedication not only to growing participation among female players, but also to creating leadership and coaching opportunities for women within the sport.
The impact of the Club Changer Program at Spring Hills has been immense, with the program delivering a number of positive outcomes for the club, including:
- Increased female football participation
- Growth in female player registrations
- Expansion of the club’s volunteer workforce
- More women and girls stepping into coaching roles
- Stronger member engagement and parent involvement across the club
- Recognition that both male and female participation are equally important to the club’s success
“The Game Changer initiative has helped our club rapidly progress female participation, both on the field and in coaching roles." Club President Tom Markovski shared. "It has provided the framework and support needed to grow opportunities for women and girls and strengthen our entire football community.”
Spring Hills FC began as a community-focused club, built on providing opportunities for local players to enjoy football in a supportive and inclusive environment. From its early years, the club has been committed to ensuring players of all ages and abilities have the chance to participate, develop their skills, and feel part of a strong football community.
Over the past decade, the club has worked hard to promote women’s football and support the continued growth of its women’s program. At the same time, Spring Hills FC has continued to strengthen its men’s football structure, with both Senior and Reserve Men’s teams playing an important role in the club’s development.
These teams provide pathways for local players to compete at a higher level while maintaining the club’s strong community culture. The men’s program contributes significantly to the club’s identity, helping create a balanced football environment where both men’s and women’s programs support and inspire one another.
Recognising the growing demand for structured pathways for girls and women in the sport, Spring Hills FC embraced the framework provided through the Game Changer initiative. This strengthened the club’s commitment to women’s football while continuing to support growth across all areas of the club.
The results have been significant. Spring Hills FC has progressed from local community competition into the Victorian Premier League environment and now proudly fields teams within the National Premier Leagues Women’s Victoria structure.
This progression represents more than competitive success. It reflects the creation of a sustainable pathway for young female footballers, allowing them to develop and reach the highest levels of the game in Victoria while remaining part of a strong community club.
The journey from community club to VPL and NPL Women’s competition is a testament to the vision, dedication and hard work of everyone involved at Spring Hills FC. With leaders like Aleks Sinclair helping drive the program forward, the club is well positioned to continue building a strong and sustainable future for women’s football.
Spring Hills' story reflects exactly what the Game Changer initiative set out to achieve — clubs that not only support women’s football but actively lead its growth.
For these reasons, Aleks Sinclair stands as a deserving Club Champion, representing the passion, leadership and commitment that have helped transform Spring Hills FC into a thriving hub for women’s football in Victoria.