We are thrilled to announce that the Club Changer Club of the Month for May has been awarded to the team at Dandenong City SC.
Fresh off another successful "Dandy Cup", one of the largest all women and girls football tournaments in the country, Dandenong City is a rapidly growing club with an entire community right behind it.
Club Operations Manager Katarina Ovcin told us of the hard work that went into making the 2025 Dandy Cup a massive success, not just for the women and girls who took to the field, but for the entire club.
"This year’s Dandy Cup wasn’t just a tournament. It was a club-wide celebration of people, passion, and purpose, and above all, a shining example of what can happen when volunteers lead the way."
Since its inception in 2024, The Dandy Cup is becoming an annual pre-season tradition hosted by the Club at Frank Holohan Reserve, a weekend-long tournament for juniors and seniors across the state to compete ahead of the community competitions kicking-off for the season.
This year's tournament was a record-breaking one, as an astounding 1,037 players from 45 clubs competed across 89 teams. Over the course of two action-packed days, 551 goals were scored in 142 thrilling matches, providing plenty to cheer about for the approximately 4,000 spectators in attendance.
As the tournament continues to grow, so does the Club's need for helping hands to bring it to life.
"We knew there was a lot of work involved and wouldn’t happen on its own, so we started planning months in advance." Ovcin said.
"Volunteering wasn’t an afterthought—it was a key pillar of our planning."
"Expression of Interest forms were launched early targeting parents, grandparents, siblings, juniors, seniors, and the wider community. Roles were matched to interests, so everyone felt confident and excited to contribute."
And it worked, as City reported a 300% increase in volunteer numbers compared to the 2024 event.
From carpark attendants and kitchen crews to ground marshals and referees, the volunteers at the Dandy Cup were a major factor in the tournament's success. We think Ovcin put it best when she said, "We didn’t just increase our volunteer numbers—we ignited a culture shift."
A special mention must be made for the Club's insistence on making sure that every game was refereed by someone who had received training and felt confident with whistle in hand.
As part of the Dandy Cup prep, the Club ran a Football Victoria referee course for their U19 and U23 players. This not only ensured matches were well-officiated, but created a new pathway for these young players to become qualified referees—supporting the event while also building a sustainable, ongoing referee database for future tournaments and club games.
A true win for the event, the players, and the wider football community.
Ovcin is incredibly proud of what her club is doing in the football community and looks forward to continuing to help lead the way.
"The Dandy Cup became a celebration of connection, commitment, and club pride. And Dandenong City Hajduk SC is proud to say: We’re not just part of Club Changer—we’re leading it."