Thornton Redbacks Women's Soccer Club see themselves as more than a sporting club - in their own words "we're a community club".
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And that will be on obvious display on Sunday (July 21) when they will hold a gala fundraising day to raise money for the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation.
Four teams will be in action - their under 14s, under 17s, reserve and first grades - against Mid North Coast and they're hoping to attract a big crowd to Thornton Oval.
"We're more than just women's sporting teams," club official Craig Faulkner said. "We're a community club, and this is a good cause.
"It's the first time we've done it. The teams will be wearing pink socks, have pink ribbons in their hair, and we'll have a lot of our former players on the sidelines ... it should be great.
"The Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison has said she'll be dropping in too."
The club has HBCF merchandise for sale, and there will be a barbecue, cake stall and a bar operating.
For a club that couldn't field a first grade team towards the end of last season, the gala day is part of an amazing turnaround.
"We had to fold the first grade team about two thirds of the way through last season due to a lack of players," Faulkner said. "Work commitments and injuries took a toll.
"But at the start of this season we put the call out for players and we were delighted with the response. We actually had to turn some players away.
"Now we have about 60 players across the grades, aged from 13 up to about 29.
"And next season we're planning to bring in an under 13 side as well.
"We're aligned with the Thornton Devils and get some good junior players from them, so things are really looking up."
The club are also going to partner with Headspace - a youth mental health foundation - next season.
"We think that's a good fit for us," Faulkner added.
"Mental health is a factor in young people, so we'll have their name on our jumpers, have their people at matches - or at least a point of contact for them - and so on.
"Like I said, we see ourselves as a community club and we'd be kidding ourselves if we think our young players don't suffer the same pressures that other kids do.
"We're a friendly club too, anyone is welcome to come along, whether it be to play, to help out or just to watch."
