CLUB HISTORY
Wanderers Football Club has been a hugely successful football club over the years with solid ties to the local community and a strong sense of family values. Based in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, it is the oldest and largest club on the Coast and draws players and their families from throughout the wider Sunshine Coast region. The club formed as Buderim Wanderers FC in 1972 and moved to its home to Ballinger Park in 1980. In recent times the fields have undergone a significant upgrade with continued improvements occurring to the playing surface and facilities.
The Club’s existing clubhouse was completed in 1986, in cooperation with Matthew Flinders Anglican College. The complex is one of the best on the Sunshine Coast and is well utilised for large scale competitions and events. The Wanderers have hosted many of the State and National carnivals including the 2005 Queensland State Schoolboys Titles and the 2006 State Secondary Schools titles.Throughout its thirty-four year history, the Wanderers have enjoyed ongoing success on the playing field. In 1985, the club won the Fenn Cup, became Premiers, took out the Sunshine Coast Soccer Association Championship and won the Qantas Cup, all in one season. The Club has also won numerous premierships and championships in all divisions and age levels. The Club won the Sunshine Coast Soccer Association Champion Club for five consecutive years in the early 1990’s and has been awarded the Sunshine Coast Champion Club of the Year for the last seven years running – 2013-2019.
The Wanderers has a long history of providing opportunity for all players to improve their football ability and enjoy playing the game. In 2017, Buderim Wanderers was awarded licences by Football Queensland to field teams in the FQPL and WNPL in addition to introducing a SAP Program. The Club improved on their achievement in the inaugural FQPL season in 2018 and in 2019 with the senior men finishing top of the table Premiers, achieved promotion to the NPL. From U6s to O35s the club caters for players in all stages of their footballing careers. The Club, via its Emerging Wanderers Program, runs skills academies and technical development programs aimed at enhanced development in accordance with the FFA curriculum.
Our vision for Football is to provide a pathway for young players to progress from MiniRoos and SAP through to our National Premier League programs and to prepare talented footballers for more elite state, national and international pathways. Our Club is also committed to the development of our coaches and volunteers. In addition the Club strives to maintain strong relationships with its catchment schools and community to ensure strong ties with the community.
While the Club’s history is steeped in success and achievement and it is indebted to past players, life members, committee members and volunteers, the next chapter of its history is likely to provide even more opportunities for the Club to further its reputation as a Football Club.