Football Queensland invest heavily into referee development  

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Football Queensland have announced a significant investment into referee development, with seven Referee Coach and Development Officers appointed across the sunshine state.

The officers will work closely with the FQ referee department to raise the standard of officiating in Queensland.

“On behalf of Football Queensland, I’d like to congratulate the Referee Coach and Development Officers who have been appointed to the newly-created roles,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.

“In the 2020–2022 Strategic Plan, we identified the need to grow referee numbers across the state whilst improving the quality and standard of refereeing. The appointment of these seven Officers represents the biggest investment Football Queensland has made in match officials and a step change in achieving our strategic referee outcomes.

“This announcement follows the implementation of a range of new FQ referee initiatives in the last 18 months, including the first-year referee pack, referee e-learning platform and the Referee Academy.

“It was fantastic to see these new initiatives result in an 18% increase in referee registrations in February 2020 compared to February 2019, however we know there is still more important work ahead to realise our Strategic Plan target of reaching 2,200 referees by 2022.”

“These appointments will ensure that we have consistency across the state with regards to referee education and coaching, fitness training and assessments, and will be critical in supporting the delivery of FQ’s Strategic Plan outcomes.”

FQ State of Referee Manager, Jacqui Hurford, said of the new developments: “The Referee Coach and Development Officers will assist the FQ Referee Department with the recruitment and retention of referees in each zone, while providing a new level of support to match officials from a local perspective.

“The zone-based Referee Coach and Development Officers will also provide valuable guidance to FQ on how we can better assist the zones in strengthening referee development and support.

“With additional development coordinators, appointment coordinators and quality coaches now supporting the work already being undertaken at a zone level, particularly in regional areas, we are confident that FQ is heading in the right direction and on track to increase referee numbers across the state.”

The seven Referee Coach and Development Officers are Marsh Camille (Sunshine Coast), Brad Burton (Wide Bay), Trevor May (Mackay), Sam Williams (CQ), Cory Skilton (North Queensland – Southern Conference) and Nathan O’Connor (North Queensland – Northern Conference).

In the Gold Coast zone, Mark Simon-Green will oversee the role with the help of locally appointed referee coaches.

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PFA and Fans Association Unite to Bring Fans Closer to Players

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Image credit: PFA

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and the Football Supporters Association Australia (FSAA) have confirmed a new partnership aimed at establishing an official link between professional players and their fans.

The agreement sets out for the two organisations to work together on initiatives that:

  • Foster stronger, more genuine connections between players and supporters

  • Enhance the involvement of players and fans in football decision-making

  • Produce data-driven insights to support the long-term growth of the game

Founded in 2023, the FSAA is a volunteer organisation created to provide a unified, independent voice for Australian football supporters, prioritising a supporter-first approach.

The FSAA represents the interests of fans across all levels of the game and has recently submitted supporter-focused recommendations to Football Australia (FA) and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL).

PFA Chief Executive, Beau Busch highlighted the significance of the new strong foundation already established with the FSAA and the potential for future collaboration.

“Since the establishment of FSAA, we have been able to build an effective working relationship, and this agreement represents another step forward in our shared pursuit of building the game,” he said via PFA press release.

“Globally, we have seen firsthand the benefits of strong collaboration between fan groups and player unions.

“Together we believe we are better equipped to shape the future of Australian football and ensure that the voices of fans and players are heard and respected.”

FSAA Chair, Patrick Clancy described the accord with the PFA as a natural connection between the organisations representing Australian football’s two key groups, players and supporters.

“Australia’s professional players have an inextricable connection with supporters. Many have grown up on the terraces and in the stands and then progress to taking on the game as a career,” he said via FSAA official media release.

“For supporters, there is that strong emotional connection with the players of the club they support week in, week out.

“FSAA wants to continue to foster and grow this important relationship, leverage off our mutual understandings and improve the game in Australia for players and supporters alike.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 20 October 2025 by PFA CEO Beau Busch and FSAA Chair Patrick Clancy, formalising the partnership.

This represents the FSAA’s first MoU with another organisation, with the expectation of establishing additional partnerships in the near future.

Deploy Named Official Match Ball Provider for Gold Coast International 2026

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Image provided by Deploy Football

Deploy, Australia’s leading developer and manufacturer of performance sporting solutions, has been announced as the authorised provider of official match balls for the Gold Coast International 2026. The partnership highlights Deploy’s commitment to supporting football players and clubs across Australia with high quality reliable products.

With a focus on performance, durability and innovation, Deploy ensures every player from grassroots to elite levels can rely on equipment designed to enhance the game. Their premium footballs are crafted to meet the demands of training and competition delivering consistency and quality in every match.

Beyond footballs, Deploy provides practical solutions to clubs supporting the community with products and services that save time, reduce administrative burdens, and help teams perform at their best. This collaboration demonstrates Deploy’s ongoing dedication to growing football in Australia and providing players and clubs with equipment they can trust.

As the official match ball provider for the Gold Coast International 2026, Deploy looks forward to equipping players for a memorable tournament and reinforcing its role as a key partner in the Australian football community.

For more information, email info@deployfootball.com or call 1800 384 327.

Visit https://deploy.com.au to explore products and services.

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