It started as an idea to promote female participation 15 months ago. Now it’s become one of the biggest girls-only tournaments in Australia.
Dandenong City Hajduk hosted a record-breaking girls-only Dandy Cup last weekend, which also honoured the club’s original girls team, started in 1992 (when they were Chelsea Hajduk).
Over 1000 players, from 89 teams and 45 clubs played 142 games, with 551 goals scored, and almost 5000 spectators attending the female football extravaganza.
It capped massive growth from an already stunning debut 2024 event, where 650 players, from 52 teams and 29 clubs took part.
And there was strong representation from Victoria’s Croatian-backed clubs, with St Albans Saints Dinamo, Strathmore Split, North Geelong Warriors and Melbourne Knights also featuring, with young Australian-Croatian girls also sprinkled across other teams.
Hajduk women lure VIPs
Backed by Dandenong City’s massive engineroom – led by the committee, kitchen, football and huge volunteer team – it was the women of Hajduk who have driven this trailblazing event, which drew an all-star cast of dignitaries.
Federal MP Julian Hill was joined by Victorian State Opposition leader Brad Battin, Labor MP’s Lee Tarlamis and Belinda Wilson, plus City of Greater Dandenong’s Jim Memeti (Mayor) and Lana Formoso (Councillor), City of Casey’s Stefan Koomen (Mayor) and Melinda Ambroš (Deputy Mayor).
Melbourne City women’s players Rebekah Stott, Leticia McKenna and Malena Maeres presented medals to the Under 12 finalists, whilst Brad Rowse, CEO of the A-League club, also made an appearance.
Dandy City girls technical director and co-vice-president Dani Muretić, the brainchild behind the Dandy Cup along with Operations Manager Katarina Ovčin, said it was wonderful to showcase our community spirit and commemorate the long history the club has had in female football.
“It was wonderful to showcase our community spirit, and commemorate the long history the club has had in female football,” Muretić said.
““We wanted to create more than just a football tournament in 2024, and one year on, we’ve far exceeded our original goals and objectives.
“A huge shout out to the everyone at Dandy City who helped run this event. It was a massive operation.
“This event has now cemented its spot on the football calendar. We already have clubs enquiring about signing up for 2026.”
Original Hajduk Girls Honoured
The original Chelsea Hajduk junior women’s team (Chelsea merged with Dandenong City in 2008), was honoured, in a moving tribute on Sunday.
Their inaugural coach, Andrija Šušnja bravely made an appearance at the U16 girls presentation despite his health battles, along with his daughters Daniela, Josie, Elena and Paulina.
Šušnja coached the team for three years (1992-94), with a strong number of his players appearing, including Daniela and Jose, and Melisa Radošević, Maria Kovačić, Nada Cevizović, Fiona Jelić, Dijana Željko, Anita Klarica, Adrijana Dorinko and Anita Bilaver.
“It was wonderful to honour the first junior girls team, who paved the way for girls like myself to play for the club,” said Ambroš, who was also part of the Dandy Cup organising team.
“Playing for the club gave many young girls a chance to play, develop confidence, create a connection with the club and make lifelong friendships.”
Dandy City expansion required
Hajduk’s Frank Holohan Soccer Complex facilities are at bursting point, with three pitches unable to accommodate the rapidly growing girls program, let alone the broader club.
Having grown from 30 female players and two teams in 2021 to 100 and seven teams last year – the facilities are the only thing blocking Hajduk from growing to 200+ girls this season.
Officially 150 girls and 11 teams are registered in 2025, with dozens already knocked back due to capacity, with Hajduk’s girls teams scattered across four training locations, presenting logistical and safety issues and stunting growth.
Local politicians concede that clubs like Hajduk are finding it hard to keep pace.
“Growing women’s participation is so important. It is booming. It’s growing at such a fast level we can’t keep up,” Tarlamis said.
“We need to support local clubs to get them the facilities and resources they need so they can continue to have enough space to welcome these young girls, get them into playing sport and soccer.
“If we don’t have the facilities, they’ll be turned away. It’s really important we continue to grow the sport and get as many girls playing as we can.
“It continues to grow every year, to see so many girls active and participate is amazing. The club does so well to coordinate this biggest women’s only tournament.”
Local MP Belinda Wilson has also been a big supporter of Dandy City, and was blown away at the enormity of the event.
“It’s great to be back – 89 teams, an incredible community event. So many people here over two days, it’s a fantastic atmosphere. Unbelievable work to get something like this together. Can’t wait for next year already,” Wilson said.
Best players and finalists
St Albans’ rising star Nives Hrbolić won the Frank Kovać Award for Player of the Tournament. Her team won the U14 crown.
Other finalists included:
U9 – St Albans Saints Dinamo (Runners Up)
U13 – North Geelong Warriors (Runners Up)
U14 – St Albans Saints Dinamo (Winners) | Frank Kovać Player of the Tournament – Nives Hrbolić (Dinamo)
U16 – St Albans Saints Dinamo (Winners) | Andrija Šušnja Player of the Match – Alessia Santalucia (Dinamo)
U18 – North Geelong Warriors (Runners Up) | Player of the Match – India Deak (Warriors)
Senior Women’s Cup – Dandenong City Hajduk (Runners Up)
PHOTOS: Morden Productions, Bruce Media, MKT Photography.