Football West News
Northam Springfield FC has been recognised as Football West’s Club Changer Club of the Month for October.
The decision celebrates the club’s commitment to supporting, developing and recognising the volunteers who make community football possible.
The Club Changer Club of the Month award recognises affiliated clubs that demonstrate excellence across a different focus area each month. October’s theme of Workforce and Volunteers highlights clubs that are creating positive environments for their people through volunteer recruitment, retention, development, recognition and support.
For Northam Springfield, building a strong volunteer workforce is about more than filling positions on a committee or finding coaches for the upcoming season. It is about creating an environment where people feel welcome, valued and connected to their football community.
As a regional club based in the Wheatbelt region, Northam Springfield recognises that its greatest strength lies in the dedication of its players, families, coaches, committee members and volunteers.
The club encourages parents and families to contribute in ways that suit their skills, interests and availability, whether through coaching, team management, matchday support, fundraising, administration or community events.
This flexible approach helps create opportunities for more people to become involved, while sharing responsibilities across the club rather than relying on a small group of individuals.
Central to this approach is the club’s belief that volunteers should feel supported and confident in their roles.
At the beginning of each season, Northam Springfield communicates expectations and responsibilities to coaches, team managers, committee members and other volunteers. Experienced volunteers also provide guidance to newer members, helping build confidence, share knowledge and create a supportive environment.
For a regional club, where access to resources and personnel can sometimes be limited, this emphasis on teamwork and communication is particularly important.
One area where Northam Springfield has demonstrated its commitment to supporting its people is through its focus on mental health and wellbeing.
Through its involvement with Think Mental Health and the introduction of a dedicated Wellbeing Officer, the club has worked to create an environment where players, families and volunteers feel comfortable seeking support and discussing their wellbeing.
The Wellbeing Officer provides an important point of contact within the club, while ongoing wellbeing education helps strengthen awareness and encourage a culture of looking after one another.
For Northam Springfield, supporting volunteers means recognising that their wellbeing matters just as much as the contributions they make on the football field.
The club also understands the importance of providing opportunities for volunteers to develop their skills and confidence.
Coaches, committee members and volunteers are encouraged to access relevant coaching, refereeing, safeguarding, governance and wellbeing education through Football West, Football Australia and other organisations.
Members of the club’s female committee have also attended a Women in Football leadership weekend in Perth, establishing valuable networks and connections that continue to support the club’s ambitions for female players and volunteers.
Another important part of the club’s approach is recognising and celebrating the contributions of its people.
Northam Springfield believes volunteer recognition does not always need to involve formal awards or events. Sometimes, a genuine thank you, acknowledging someone’s efforts or simply checking in can make a meaningful difference.
The club’s relationship with Perth Glory has provided another opportunity to bring its football community together.
Through opportunities for players to attend professional matches and experience football at the highest level, Northam Springfield has helped connect regional participants with the broader football community.
A particularly memorable moment took place recently when the club hosted a Perth Glory pre-season friendly in Northam.
The event brought together players, families, volunteers, sponsors and the wider community, providing an opportunity to celebrate football and showcase the strength of the Northam Springfield community.
Through its commitment to supporting and investing in its people, Northam Springfield is demonstrating how a strong volunteer culture can help build a thriving football community both on and off the pitch.
Congratulations to Northam Springfield FC, Football West’s October Club Changer Club of the Month.
Learn more about the club – Northam Springfield FC
Read more about the Club Changer program on our website – Club Changer Club Development Program | Football West
