The Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club (DHUSC) has launched into the 2025 season with plenty to celebrate—including a historic first for the club and a major funding promise to improve its facilities.
For the first time in 37 years, DHUSC fielded a senior women’s team, who made their debut in a friendly against the Creswick Cougars. The match marked more than just the start of the season—it marked a new era for the club.
Club President, Adam Sadler, is proud of his club’s progress as an inclusive community sporting club:
“To have a senior women’s team competing is a large step in our aim to be an inclusive and safe place for everyone in our community to come and enjoy soccer,” said Sadler.
The women’s team isn’t the only sign of change at the club. DHUSC was recently recognised by Football Victoria for its near-equal gender representation—one of the few regional clubs to reach this milestone. Looking to have more than 200 registered players this year, of which over 40% will be female, with strong representation in both junior and senior levels.
The club has fielded a full slate of teams this year, reflecting strong local interest across all age groups. In 2025, teams include: Senior Men’s Division 1 and Division 2 (training Thursdays, 6.00pm), Senior Women (Tuesdays, 6.00pm), U16 Open and U16 Girls (Wednesdays, 5.15pm), U12 Open and U12 Girls (Wednesdays, 4.30pm), U11 Mixed (Wednesdays, 4.30pm), U10 Girls (Wednesdays, 4.30pm), and U9 Mixed (Wednesdays, 4.00pm). All teams train at Victoria Park in Daylesford, with games played as part of the Ballarat and District Soccer Association competition.
The club’s inclusive, community-first approach has also been recognised at the federal level. Member for Ballarat Catherine King MP announced a $1.2 million commitment from a re-elected Albanese Government to upgrade soccer facilities at Victoria Park in Daylesford and Doug Lindsay Reserve in Creswick. The upgrades will support the growing participation of women and girls across Hepburn Shire.
Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, announced $1.2 million for soccer upgrades in Hepburn Shire to an enthusiastic group of DHUSC young players on Wednesday evening. (Photo: Tim Bach)
At Victoria Park, the funding will allow for the reconfiguration of the grounds to create two senior-sized pitches and improve access to space for all players. Importantly, the works will also include much-needed female-friendly changerooms—an issue that has long been a barrier for growing female participation.
“These two clubs have created welcoming and inclusive environments,” said King. “Too often women and girls are getting ready in men’s change rooms, the car or old sheds. It’s not fair—and it’s not good enough.”
Founded in 1986, DHUSC is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit club with teams ranging from Under 8s to Senior Men’s Division 1. Over nearly four decades, the club has celebrated numerous senior and junior titles, while continuing to prioritise grassroots participation and development.
This season sees experienced community coaches leading across all age groups, including a strong cohort of female coaches in the junior girls’ teams and former senior players guiding the U11s.
As the season gets underway, the club and their president are buzzing with optimism:
“This is an exciting time for our club,” said Adam Sadler. “We have experienced huge growth from six teams in 2023 to 12 in 2025. With the prospect of some much needed facilities upgrades on the horizon, the future is certainly looking good for ‘The Pumpers’.
