Community power secures the future of South Coast Flame

What started with shock and uncertainty has ended with a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together.

Following an extraordinary response from players, families, coaches and supporters across the Illawarra, Football South Coast has reversed its decision to close South Coast Flame, with the club now set to continue operating as an independent community organisation.

In just hours, more than 3,200 people signed a petition calling for a fair football development pathway in the Illawarra, while more than 200 people gathered at Ian McLennan Park on Saturday, 8 August to stand together in support of the Flame.

But behind those numbers were hundreds of individual voices.

Young players spoke about what their club, teammates and coaches meant to them. Parents shared the impact the uncertainty was having on their children. Coaches, volunteers, former players and supporters added their voices, while people from across the wider Illawarra community stood behind the club.

The strength of that response was also reflected in a community survey completed by 364 people in just four days.

While the survey was initially created to better understand the impact of the decision, the responses captured just how deeply South Coast Flame was connected to people’s lives.

One player wrote: 

“It has had a massive negative impact on my wellbeing and mental health... Now I have the stress of trying to find somewhere else to go and trying to find a new club without our coaches who have developed our self confidence and skill.” – Player, U15 Youth Girls

Another parent shared: 

“The Flame provided a community, helped kids with living their passion, confidence, and gave them really positive role models such as the coaches... As a family we’ve made such a commitment, with travel, financial costs and personal sacrifices to support our son’s development.” – Parent, U12

The emotional impact on young players was a recurring theme, alongside concerns about losing development opportunities, friendships, trusted coaches and a sense of belonging. Across the survey responses, words such as “devastated”, “heartbroken” and “gutted” appeared more than 100 times, with multiple families and players specifically raising concerns about mental health, anxiety and emotional wellbeing.

But those stories ultimately became part of something positive.

Rather than accepting that their club would disappear, the community organised, shared information, contacted decision-makers, spoke to the media, attended the rally, signed the petition, and supported one another.

Within a week, thousands of individual actions became one collective voice.

The result is not only that the Flame will continue, but that its next chapter will be shaped by the community around it.

South Coast Flame will now move forward as an independent community organisation, preserving an important football development pathway in the Illawarra while giving its community the opportunity to play an active role in its future.

For the families who stood together over an extraordinary week, the outcome is a reminder that community participation matters. Together, those voices made a difference.

The Flame is still burning.

About the writer

Loreto Medina is a South Coast Flame parent who started the “Demand Fair Football Development in the Illawarra!” petition following Football South Coast’s decision regarding the club’s future. She became actively involved in the community response, helping coordinate the rally and bringing together opportunities for families, players and coaches to have their voices heard. With a professional background in communications and marketing, Loreto used her experience to help amplify the community’s voice and advocate for the future of the club.