About the Falcons
Advancing youth health, wellbeing, and community in the Wollongong region for over 70 years.
Why We Exist
Fernhill Junior Football Club is a non-profit, community organisation whose purpose is to advance the health, wellbeing, and social development of children and young people in the Towradgi, Fernhill and broader Wollongong region through structured, accessible football programs.
We use football as a vehicle to deliver outcomes that matter far beyond the scoreline: physical fitness, mental resilience, social connection, and the life skills that help young people thrive in school, in relationships, and as members of their community.
The club is operated entirely by volunteers and exists solely for the benefit of its members and the broader community. No profits are distributed. All revenue is reinvested directly into youth programs, equipment, ground maintenance, and keeping participation costs as low as possible.
Sport That Changes Lives
The evidence is clear: children who participate in structured team sport are healthier, happier, and more connected. At Fernhill, we take that responsibility seriously.
Physical Fitness
Football provides the high-intensity, varied movement that health authorities recommend for children aged 5–17. Our programs support cardiovascular health, strength, coordination, and the habit of lifelong physical activity.
Mental Health
Team sport significantly reduces rates of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. Belonging to a team, working toward shared goals, and being coached through setbacks builds mental resilience that lasts into adulthood.
Social Connection
Children who feel socially connected are more confident, more engaged at school, and more resilient through life challenges. The friendships built on the football pitch are often among the most enduring of a child's life.
Character Development
Sport teaches children how to win and lose with grace, how to support a teammate, how to persist when it is hard, and how to take feedback and grow. These are character traits we deliberately cultivate at every age group.
Healthy Routines
Regular training sessions and weekend fixtures provide structure and routine, something especially important for children navigating school pressures and the increasing pull of screens. Football gives kids a reason to move, every week.
Safe & Supervised
Every Fernhill coach holds a valid Working With Children Check. Our club operates within Football Australia's safeguarding frameworks, and child safety is embedded into every aspect of how we operate, not treated as an afterthought.
Beyond the Game
Our commitment goes beyond weekly fixtures. We actively work to make sport accessible, develop community leaders, and ensure every child has the opportunity to be part of the Falcons family.
Come-and-Try Sessions
Free introductory sessions for children who have never played before. No boots, no kit, no commitment required.
Financial Hardship Assistance
No child is turned away due to cost. Fee reduction and support arrangements are available. Speak confidentially with our registrar.
Volunteer Coaching Pathway
We recruit, train, and support volunteer coaches from within our community, including parents and older players who want to give back.
Referee Development
Older junior players are supported to become accredited referees, providing a development pathway and paid opportunity within the game.
Girls Football Program
Dedicated girls teams with equal investment in coaching quality, equipment, and development. Growing every season.
End-of-Season Celebration
Annual presentation day that recognises the effort and growth of every player, not just the top performers.
Open to Everyone
Fernhill Junior Football Club does not discriminate on the basis of ability, background, gender, cultural heritage, or financial means. Our membership is open to any child aged 5–17 residing in or near the Wollongong region.
We are committed to the Football Australia Inclusion Strategy and the principles of Sport Australia's Play Our Way framework. If cost is a barrier for your family, contact us confidentially. We will find a way to get your child on the pitch.
70 Years of the Falcons
Fernhill Junior Football Club was founded in 1955 in Fernhill/Towradgi, a community that has supported and shaped the club through every season since. What began as a handful of kids kicking a ball around Ray Robinson Oval has grown into one of the most established junior football clubs in the Wollongong region.
Across seven decades, thousands of local children have worn the Falcons jersey, learning the game, building friendships, and growing into confident young adults who are better prepared for the world. Many of today's parents played for Fernhill as children. Some are now coaching their own kids in the same club, on the same oval.
We are a non-profit, volunteer-run club. Every committee member, coach, and team manager gives their time freely because they believe in what this club stands for: giving local kids a safe, active, and high-quality football experience that makes a genuine difference in their lives.
Our Values
Inclusion
Football is for everyone. We welcome players of all abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels. Every child deserves to feel part of the team.
Development
We focus on the long game. Skills, confidence, and character, built week by week, season by season. Winning matters less than growing.
Community
This club has always been bigger than football. We bring families together, support local businesses, and give back to the Towradgi and Fernhill community that has given so much to us.
Respect
For teammates, opponents, referees, and the game itself. We teach our players that how you conduct yourself on the pitch is as important as what you achieve there.
Safety
The wellbeing of our players comes first, always. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where children can thrive.
Fun
At its core, football should be fun. We want every player to leave training with a smile and count down the days until the next session.
The Committee
Fernhill Juniors is run entirely by volunteers. Our committee members give their time freely because they believe in this club and its players. All committee positions are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Want to Get Involved?
We are always looking for volunteers: coaches, team managers, canteen helpers, or committee members. You do not need a football background. You just need to care about giving kids a great experience. Every bit of help makes a real difference.
Get in TouchCome Join the Falcons Family
Registrations for the 2026 season are now closed. For enquiries about joining the club or future seasons, get in touch with us directly.