South Coast Flame FC earns top rating after fighting off closure
South Coast Flame FC won gold rating for girls' development after community saved it from closure.
The Illawarra club faced closure when Football South Coast announced it would cease operations after 2026. Hundreds of players, families and supporters rallied, gathering 2,800 petition signatures demanding a fair pathway.
The outcry reversed the decision and a new independent board took over in September. Flame has now won Football NSW's highest gold rating for girls' junior development.
It is the only club in its region offering girls' football from under-9s to under-18s, giving the complete progression route. The achievement marks the club's 10-year anniversary and reflects years of work by coaches, volunteers and families.
- 2,800
- Petition signatures
- September
- New board takeover
- 10 years
- Club anniversary
- Under-9s to under-18s
- Age range served
Why it mattersGirls get a complete pathway in sport; communities can fight for programs they value and win.
AustraliaA Wollongong-area girls' football program now offers the best development pathway in regional NSW and sets a model for how community action can save grassroots sport.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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