Subiaco named April's Club Changer Club of the Month
Football West would like to congratulate Subiaco AFC, who have been named our Club Changer Club of the Month.
This month’s theme recognises Women and Girls, celebrating clubs that create meaningful opportunities, strong pathways and inclusive environments for female participation in football.
With more than 50 years of female football heritage, Subiaco AFC have demonstrated a clear and deliberate commitment to strengthening their women and girls program, not just through participation growth, but through leadership, culture and long-term sustainability.
Recognising that female representation in leadership and coaching needed improvement, the club took decisive action. Subiaco AFC appointed Christine Coppin as their female head coach to lead their New Balance NPL WA first team, supported by female assistant coaches across U21 and U18 teams. The club also introduced a dedicated Female Football Ambassador role, appointing former Matilda Maria Hulls to drive development, connection and culture across the program.
Women are now central to decision-making and leadership across the club, with 75% female representation on the committee and nine female coaches embedded throughout the football program.
On the field, Subiaco AFC has invested in elevating the women’s program. The introduction of GPS performance tracking, the recruitment of international players, and the addition of a dedicated female analytics coach have strengthened both performance and professionalism within the squad. Female leadership is also directly involved in trials and talent identification, ensuring alignment and clarity across the development pathway.
Importantly, the club has created a connected ecosystem between senior and junior football. NPL Women players are actively contributing as coaches within the JDL girls program, strengthening relationships and creating a visible pathway for younger players.
Subiaco AFC also celebrates female leadership through initiatives such as International Women’s Day, showcasing the contributions of female coaches, players and committee members across their community.
“Congratulations to Subiaco AFC on achieving great feats in the female space. Subiaco AFC have shown what it looks like when a club commits to meaningful change.” Football West Club Development Lead Mo Syafiq said.
“By embedding women in leadership, coaching and decision-making, they’ve created an environment where female players don’t just participate — they belong and thrive.”
Subiaco AFC President Andrew Farragher said: "“This award will have an impact on the club as it shows our members that we are striving to improve the club, especially in the female space for both juniors and seniors. Several years ago, Subiaco AFC took a strategic decision to improve the development of female players. This was achieved primarily by providing better more qualified coaches for our female teams, ensuring improved technical development of the players, which is now bearing fruit in many of our age groups.”
He added, “Being part of Club Changer allowed us to identify the areas that needed changing and focusing the right resources in those areas. This meant we were able to create a more inclusive community for all female players and ensure that they felt part of the club and would have their voices heard.”
Learn more about the Subiaco AFC HERE
Read more about the Club Changer program HERE