Football Queensland forms new State Referees Committee

Football Queensland (FQ) has announced the formation of a new and improved State Referees Committee (SRC), to focus on recruitment of match officials and ensuring that they are retained for the long-term across the state.

In total, eight committee members were appointed to the SRC, all of whom bringing a wealth of experience and achievements across.

“This revamped State Referees Committee brings together talented people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences in refereeing,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.  

In the 2020–2022 Strategic Plan, Football Queensland identified the need to grow referee numbers around the state whilst improving the quality and standard of refereeing. 

The significant investment FQ has made in referees over the past 18 months has already led to a sizeable increase in registration numbers, and the SRC will provide expert advice as we look to reach our strategic target of 2,200 registered referees by 2022. 

The new committee members feature John Peters (chair of the SRC), Gordon Nicholson (Secretary of the SRC), Darren MacLeod, Zac Keenan, Kerrie Graf, Catherine Marsh, Joseph Lee and Adrian O’Connor.

FQ is implementing a range of new referee initiatives this year, including the introduction of Referee Coach and Development Officers, a buddy system for junior referees and new assessor and mentor ID tags as part of the ‘No Badge, No Bench, No Ref Room’ policy,” FQ Senior Manager – State Referees Jacqui Hurford said. 

“We are determined to continually provide development opportunities and increase the number of referees across Queensland, and we are confident the skillset and knowledge within the SRC will help FQ continue that growth trajectory in 2021 and beyond.”   

The SRC works in line with the Australian Officiating Development Schedule (AODS), which is maintained by Football Australia.

You can find history and background of each appointed State Referees Committee member here.

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PFA and Fans Association Unite to Bring Fans Closer to Players

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

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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