In a major boost for local football, the historic Queens Park Soccer & Social Club has secured its future home with a new five-year lease approval at Coker Park in Cannington.
The City of Canning councillors unanimously endorsed the lease agreement during their October 28 meeting, ending the club's period without a permanent tenure that began back in 2022.
From Historic Foundations to Modern Ambitions
Established early last century, Queens Park represents one of Western Australia's oldest football institutions. The club cemented its presence at Coker Park when it constructed clubrooms there in 1981 to accommodate its growing community.
The club experienced its golden years between 2017 and 2019 when its women's team dominated the Women's Premier League, claiming the top ladder position twice and securing a championship title once.
However, the following years brought significant challenges, including the devastating loss of its National Premier Leagues status in 2019, the dissolution of its junior team, and declining membership numbers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Remarkable Resurgence Underway
According to a City of Canning report, the club has made an impressive turnaround over the past two years, substantially increasing its membership numbers.
Queens Park now fields four senior teams - three men's and one women's - alongside 14 junior teams, demonstrating its renewed strength across all levels.
The club's transformation received formal recognition last month when Football West named Queens Park its 'Club Changer Club of the Month'. The state governing body specifically praised the club for its proactive communication, exceptional parent engagement, and consistent reinforcement of positive conduct.
Club President Eve Watts expressed immense pride in this achievement, particularly as it coincided with the club earning a second star in the Football Australia-driven program.
"This reflects our unwavering commitment to child protection and safeguarding every young person who plays, trains, and grows within our club," Ms Watts stated.
"We believe that true success is measured not only by results on the pitch, but by the positive and protective environment in which those results are achieved. This milestone is a proud moment for our club, and we remain dedicated to building both competitive excellence and a culture of care that sets the standard for football in Western Australia."
Building Toward a Premier Future
While football traditionally operates as a winter sport, Queens Park maintains year-round activity through training sessions, school holiday programs, specialist coaching clinics, and educational workshops covering topics like health and nutrition.
The club has become a community hub, encouraging students to use the clubrooms after school - an initiative that has helped boost junior membership to approximately 200 players this year.
The club's primary ambition remains regaining its National Premier Leagues status, a goal that requires infrastructure upgrades including the construction of a grandstand. A city report indicates the club will likely outgrow Coker Park by the end of the five-year lease period.
Deputy Mayor Mark Bain welcomed the club's resurgence, stating: "I hope the security of tenure will help them on their way to achieving NPL status."
The City of Canning has demonstrated its commitment to the club's development by budgeting approximately $140,000 for upgrades to the club building, ensuring the facilities can support the club's growing ambitions.
