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Located in Melbourne’s south-west, Altona Sports Club is a pillar of local community spirit. Since opening its door over 60 years ago, the club has been committed to fostering inclusivity, supporting families, strengthening community connections and remains a hub for members, families and the broader community.

The club originated in the late 1950s thanks to a group of English migrants – aka ‘Ten Pound Pommies’, who wanted to replicate the communal spirit of their clubs back home. Originally named the Altona Working Man’s Club, members enjoyed the same social activities available back in the old country.

From humble beginnings in a Nissen hut, donated by the local oil refinery, which employed many of its early members; the club today is very different and stands as a vibrant community centre, offering a wide range of services and amenities, with a diverse membership based.

Catering for a younger demographic
In recent years, the club has attracted a significant number of young members by enhancing its family-friendly facilities. A notable addition is the new indoor play area, which is easily accessed from the Bistro allowing parents to unwind while watching their children play safely – a feature setting the club apart from others in the local vicinity.

The club also offers a parent retreat, providing a quiet space for caregivers to tend babies in a welcoming environment, separate from the restrooms. Thanks to these new inclusions, the Bistro has enjoyed an increase in bookings and revenue, membership has grown and the club’s reputation as a family-orientated venue has been solidified. Furthermore, the diversification has resulted in year-round events that appeal to young families, from celebrating Australia Dat to the Children’s Christmas party, ensuring there is something for everyone.

Reconnecting through inclusion
Social inclusion is deeply rooted in the Club’s ethos particularly for the elderly and people with disability. Recognising that 20% of the community is over 65, the club actively engages programs and events which cater to this demographic, like its annual seniors Christmas Lunch, wherein residents and caregivers from each of the local aged care facilities are invited and transported to the club to enjoy festive food, entertainment and engagement.

Additionally, the clubs “Morning Melodies” invited aged care residents and disadvantaged groups for morning tea and live entertainment, to assist in fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Social inclusion is a vibrant practice at the club, connecting people across generations and further strengthening community bonds.

Championing community engagement and youth
Strengthening ties with the local community through various initiatives is a key objective for the club. For example, the club recently opened its doors to the BB’s Pool Team, one of eight teams in the Northwestern Pool League. Comprised of players with disabilities – the only such team in Australia competing in a mainstream league – the club’s facilities have been instrumental in providing players with the opportunity to train and prepare for the competition.

The ASC LAWN Bowls Academy was introduced in early 2021 with the aim to engage local students to the sport of lawn bowls and becoming a part of the club. Lawn bowls has been introduced to nine schools in the local area, with over 3,000 children aged 5-12 actively participating.

Post COVID, the club launched a fully funded junior cricket program aimed at providing children from diverse cultures in Melbourne’s western suburbs with the opportunity to play sport for free. Under this program, the club engaged 50 juniors to play the game, with 30 of these players being girls. The program is set to expand in the coming year, with a goal of supporting 150 junior players.

Leadership driving growth and community impact
Under the leadership of General Manager, Gavin Comport, the club has flourished to become a dynamic community hub that now attracts a diverse demographic and serves the local community. Gavin’s passion and transformative impact