Football Queensland extend with Felton Industries by two years

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Football Queensland confirmed a two-year extension of its deal with Felton Industries to help provide safe and high-quality infrastructure for local clubs in the state.

Felton Industries have been with FQ since the start of 2021 with the goal to improve the infrastructure around Queensland’s local clubs.

That same goal will continue to be shared and a second extension affirms both parties’ commitment to bettering facilities in Queensland.

They were involved in the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan where FQ identified that they needed to secure a partner that would help deliver on it’s infrastructure needs.

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of Australian made premium aluminium outdoor furniture for schools, parks, councils, clubs and organisations.

The company helped FQ launch their Shelter & Grandstands Facility Guide at the start of 2021 to help easily facilitate a very ambitious plan that turned out to be a success.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci expressed delight at the extension that affirms their commitment to grassroots football.

“Football Queensland has built a very strong relationship with Felton over the past three years, and we are excited to extend our partnership as they continue to offer top-quality shade, bench, and grandstand seating solutions that cater to all clubs and budgets,” Cavallucci said.

“As we work towards achieving the goals outlined in the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan, a key priority remains removing barriers to participation and ensuring that clubs and participants statewide have access to high-quality infrastructure to help meet demand and build capacity.

“The extension of FQ’s partnership with Felton presents an exciting opportunity as we continue our efforts to support more infrastructure projects and initiatives under the Clubs and Participation pillar of our Strategic Plan to ensure that our game remains the game for all, for life.

“We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with Felton Industries to elevate the football experience across Queensland.”

Felton Industries Marketing Manager Drew Mackinnon expressed delight at the two companies collaborating further.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Football Queensland,” Mackinnon said in a statement

“We are proud of our work with grassroots and not-for-profit organisations, and together with Football Queensland, this partnership allows us to continue to bring durable, safe and quality grandstand and shelter solutions to the Sunshine State’s incredible footballing community.

“Our range of products enhance and expand clubs’ spectator seating options, providing a safe environment for the family, die-hard supporters and the casually interested to each fall in love with the beautiful game.”

Both parties have done a tremendous job to help guide clubs into improving infrastructure around the state. The two-year extension, which now leans into the current 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, is a great sign of success and a drive to achieve the same goal.

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South Canberra FC Breaks the Mold: Equity-Driven Model Earns ‘Club Changer’ Honour

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Image Credit: SCFC

South Canberra Football Club has been named Club Changer of the Month for April, in a recognition that reflects a broader shift across Australian football toward rewarding clubs that are actively dismantling the structural barriers limiting women’s access to the game.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup has just delivered record crowds and unprecedented visibility for women’s football in Australia, and the Club Changer program is now asking what comes next. Its decision to name South Canberra Football Club as Club Changer of the Month for April signals a clear shift in how the program defines contribution: away from participation numbers alone, and toward the equity frameworks that determine whether women stay in the game once they arrive.

South Canberra FC built that framework from the ground up. Established in 2021, the club set out to give women and female-identifying players a safe, inclusive environment to play football at any level. It runs entirely on volunteers, operates as a not-for-profit, and is governed by an all-female committee with 13 of its 14 coaches identifying as female.

 

Building the infrastructure of inclusion

In 2026, the club secured grant funding and put it to work immediately. Two coaches are completing their C Licence qualification, and ten coaches, players and community members have undertaken the Foundations of Football course, which directly tackles the cost and accessibility barriers that exclude women out of coaching pathways.

The club also commissioned a female-specific strength and conditioning program with sports physiotherapists ahead of the 2026 season, targeting injury prevention and explicitly supporting players returning after childbirth.

SCFC’s leadership team draws from LGBTIQ+ individuals, First Nations people and veterans, strengthening the club’s connection to the communities it was built to represent.

The Club Changer program is backing clubs that do this work- clubs that treat equity as infrastructure rather than aspiration. At a moment when Australian football is under pressure to turn its biggest-ever surge of women’s interest into something lasting, SCFC’s model offers a clear answer to the question of how.

How Husqvarna Is Helping Stadiums Cut Costs Without Cutting Quality

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Image Credit: Husqvarna

At a time when operational costs are rising across global sport, stadiums and football clubs are being forced to rethink one of their most overlooked expenses: turf maintenance.

From diesel consumption to labour hours, maintaining elite playing surfaces has traditionally been both resource-intensive and environmentally taxing. But new data emerging from venues like CBUS Super Stadium suggests a smarter, more sustainable model is already taking hold.

Leading that shift is Husqvarna, whose autonomous turf technology is quietly reshaping how professional venues manage their playing surfaces. Their product delivers measurable cost savings without compromising quality.

Cutting fuel consumption costs

At CBUS Super Stadium, the introduction of Husqvarna’s CEORA™ robotic mowing system has reduced diesel usage by approximately 20–30 litres per week. Over the course of a season, those savings compound into a significant reduction in both fuel spend and carbon emissions. This is particularly efficient for stadiums hosting regular fixtures and large-scale events.

CBUS Super Stadium General Manager Kristian Blundell said the robotic mower was a game-changer for the venue:

“This technology is not replacing staff but rather giving our grounds team the ability to do what they do best by helping to improve turf management processes, better manage fatigue and decrease our environmental footprint”

But the impact goes beyond fuel.

 

Time efficiency

By automating routine mowing, Husqvarna’s technology enables grounds teams to focus on higher-value maintenance tasks, from pitch recovery to detailed surface management. The result is not only greater operational efficiency but also improved turf consistency, which is an increasingly critical factor in elite football performance.

The benefits are being mirrored beyond stadium environments. At Oatlands Golf Club, Husqvarna’s autonomous mowing has delivered savings of up to 60 litres of fuel per week while freeing up staff for precision work. Quiet, round-the-clock operation also ensures surfaces are maintained without disrupting play—an advantage that translates directly to multi-use stadium settings.

Image Credit: Husqvarna

Importantly, Husqvarna’s lightweight robotic systems reduce the wear and tear typically caused by traditional heavy machinery. This not only protects the integrity of the playing surface but also reduces the need for costly repairs over time.

Football clubs navigating tight budgets at grassroots and semi-professional levels could benefit from such cost savings.

With rising energy prices, increasing sustainability expectations, and limited staffing resources, the ability to cut costs while improving performance is no longer optional. Solutions like Husqvarna’s CEORA™ are positioning clubs to operate more efficiently today, while preparing for a more environmentally accountable future.

As the sports industry continues to evolve, one thing is becoming clear: the next competitive edge may not just come from what happens on the pitch—but how it’s maintained.

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