Felton Industries: Supporting the infrastructure needs of football clubs across Australia

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Sporting infrastructure continues to be an important topic to address amongst community football clubs across the country.

Felton Industries is one of Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture, specialising in premium seating solutions for sporting clubs and environments.

The company have recently entered into an agreement with Football Queensland, becoming the state governing body’s official Shelter and Grandstand partner, as well as being the preferred supplier to the Queensland football community.

Through this partnership, Football Queensland released a Shelter and Grandstand Facility Guide earlier this year with support from Felton.

The guide outlines information, recommendations and viable solutions for clubs and local councils to install shelters and suitable seating at football facilities.

“All sporting clubs in Queensland face sun safety and weather-related challenges at their venues,” Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said.

“FQ has addressed this through the Shelter & Grandstands Facility Guide, the newest inclusion among our suite of in-depth resources for clubs, sport and recreation consultants, and local councils.

“Together with Felton, we are supporting our community with improved access to high-quality, infrastructure that transforms both the spectator experience and the atmosphere at matches.”

The planning and implementation process of infrastructure upgrades are also detailed in the guide, alongside suitable grants and methods that may financially assist clubs with purchases.

“Felton are proud to be FQ Preferred Supplier for Shelter and Grandstands and to support the infrastructure needs of Queensland Football clubs and football communities Australia-wide,” stated Gus White, National Sales Manager for Felton Industries.

“We work closely with clubs to deliver premium quality grandstands, bench and changing room seating. We are also thrilled to announce that we will be launching football dugouts at the end of this month.”

A list of Felton’s most popular grandstand and shelter solutions for football clubs are shown below:

 

Sunsafe Select Grandstand 

Structurally engineered all-in-one unit that provides sheltered seating for up to 40 people.

$13,850.00 ex. GST

Technical specifications

  • Seats up to 40 people
  • Structurally engineered all-in-one roof
  • Footrests & backrests with extra safety support bar
  • Built to last durable fabricated aluminium frame
  • Cyclone Rated Category C
  • Coloured Safety End Caps available in red, blue, green, purple, yellow and orange
  • 7-year warranty

Roof Coverage: 5150mm W x 3540mm D

Seating Plan: 2250mm D x 4000mm L x 900mm H (4th Tier)

Overall Plan: 5150mm L x 2400mmH (4 Tier) x 3540mm D

 

Select Grandstand 

Popular portable spectator seating that can be easily moved around venues and added to existing shade areas.

$6,180.00 – $9,270.00 ex. GST

Technical specifications

  • Bolt down or move around as a portable spectator seating unit
  • Available in 4m and 6m lengths.
  • 4m fits up to 40 fans and 6m up to 60 fans in the stands for your next game
  • Most popular grandstand 3 years running!
  • Coloured Safety End Caps available in red, blue, green, purple, yellow and orange
  • 7-year warranty

4m Overall Plan: 4000mm W x 1270mm H (900mm H 4th tier) x 2250mm D

6m Overall Plan: 6000mm W x 1270mm H (900mm H 4th tier) x 2250mm D

 

Eco-Trend Sheltered Park Setting

Sheltered seating perfect for canteen areas at football clubs.

$3,750.00 ex. GST

Technical specifications

  • Seats up to 8
  • Maximum weather protection with Colorbond Roof – Deep Ocean as Standard
  • Powder-coated frames – APO Grey
  • Seats up to 8 people comfortably
  • Latest in sleek design
  • Bolt down lugs for maximum stability and safety
  • Choice of colours available
  • Coloured Safety End Caps available in red, blue, green, purple, yellow and orange
  • 7-year warranty

Table Top: 2020mm L x 765mm W x 747mm H

Overall Plan: 2215mm L x 1975mm W x 2570mm H

 

Double Plank Seating 

Double plank bench seating designed for changing rooms and high-use wet environments like pools and surf clubs.

$515.00 – $1,029.00 ex. GST

Technical specifications

  • Fully aluminium – will not rust
  • Bolt down or free-standing options
  • Hose down for cleaning purposes
  • Coloured Safety End Caps available in red, blue, green, purple, yellow and orange
  • Choose from 2m, 3m, 4m or custom sizes available
  • 7-year warranty

Overall Plan: 500mm W x 450mm H

Felton’s wide range of products have fit the needs of many football clubs in Queensland, but also all across Australia, including clubs such as Port Kembla FC, who are based in NSW.

Located eight kilometres south of the City of Wollongong, the grassroots club needed a seating solution for members to watch the team’s home games.

After they secured the appropriate funding through the grants processes available, the club can now seat up to 160 members after purchasing equipment off Felton.

“Our club recently purchased 4 shelter units to provide a protected environment for our spectators to watch our teams play football,” Anthony Timilero, president of Port Kembla Pumas Football Club, said.

“From our initial inquiry to installation, Felton Industries were always focused on delivering exceptional service.”

To learn more about Felton Industries visit https://felton.net.au.

 

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Philip Panas is a sports journalist with Soccerscene. He reports widely on football policy and industry matters, drawing on his knowledge and passion of the game.

Football Queensland integrates FQ Academy with Brisbane Roar

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Women's World Cup
Image credit: IOIO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com

Football Queensland has confirmed the FQ Academy Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Youth and Junior programs for 2025 will continue to evolve, focusing on enhancing the development of high-potential players and strengthening pathways to professional football by further aligning with Brisbane Roar FC.

As the 2024 season comes to a close, the FQ Academy QAS program celebrates a successful year, with several current and former players securing youth contracts and scholarships with Brisbane Roar and earning selections for the Junior and Young Matildas squads.

FQ Academy QAS is the elite football development program for women and girls in Queensland. Established in 1992, it provides a full time playing and training environment for female players aged U13 to U18 with established top coaches leading the way.

The FQ Academy QAS U18 side participate in the NPL Queensland Women’s competition, with players gaining valuable experience and development opportunities against Senior Women’s teams.

Providing a pathway to Liberty A-League sides including the Brisbane Roar, graduates of the FQ Academy QAS have also gone on to represent the country with national teams following their time in the NPL Women competition.

FQ General Manager – Football & State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer discussed this deal with Brisbane Roar and the future of the academy.

“Building on this season’s achievements, the structural adjustments to the FQ Academy QAS program for the 2025 season will further enhance both our Junior and Youth programs, with players benefitting from tailored development strategies aimed at preparing them for professional contracts and on-field success,” Ganczer said in a joint statement.

“Starting in 2025, the FQ Academy QAS program for Under 17-19s and up to Under 23s will shift towards aligning with Brisbane Roar’s professional environment and playing styles. This shift includes elevating the age band and providing playing and training opportunities and game time for FQ Academy QAS and Brisbane Roar contracted players in the NPL Women to support continued growth throughout the athlete categorisation period in line with long term player development principles.

“Football Queensland’s continued commitment to support high-potential player development through the FQ Academy’s strategic alignment with Brisbane Roar and the Queensland Academy of Sport will ensure a clear pathway for athletes over 18 to remain within the program whilst also playing up and experiencing the A-League with Brisbane Roar’s Women’s team during the regular season.

“In this new structure, current Brisbane Roar players will also be able to play back in the NPL Women, allowing Under 23-aged Roar squad members to return to the FQ Academy QAS for match fitness and injury recovery should they not be A-League tied.”

Conclusion

This is a smart decision by both FQ and the Roar who aim to make the academy the best in Australia at developing women for the professional game.

It also allows more top young talent to potentially shine in the A-League Women’s competition, a league that developed every Matilda that featured in the successful 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Football Queensland will keep registration fees unchanged for 2025

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Image credit: Matimix

Football Queensland (FQ) has decided to buck national trends in increased registration fees by keeping the same low fees from past seasons for 2025.

FQ’s prices for the 2025 season will be $50 for MiniRoos, $66 for Juniors and $130 for Seniors making them the lowest registration fees in Australia.

President of Football Queensland, Paula Robinson, champions the federation’s economic management throughout the years to deliver affordable sport to a growing audience.

“The Football Queensland Board of Directors is extremely proud to keep its registration fees unchanged for yet another year. Having the lowest registration fees of any Member Federation means football in Queensland is one of the most financially accessible sports in the country. No wonder we have more Queenslanders than ever wanting to take to the football fields,” she said via FQ press release.

“As we continue to experience record year-on-year growth in participation across the state, the decision to not increase governing body fees for a fifth year reflects Football Queensland’s commitment to ensuring football remains accessible to all Queenslanders, no matter their age, background or location.”

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, explained how the governing body continue to manage difficult reforms.

“Football Queensland continues to undertake very difficult and significant reforms to its operational design, execution and statewide governance structures to transform how we deliver football and ensure the game can handle its evolving needs well into the future,” he said via press release.

“Coupled with prudent financial management, these reforms continue placing significant downward pressure on football’s volatile and high inflationary cost environment to deliver stable registration benefits to participants across the state. 

“After another exciting 2024 season, we look forward to welcoming participants back next year and seeing even more Queenslanders join our game in 2025.”

The registration fees for FQ have been the lowest in the nation for 5 years with the federation not allowing price increases since 2020, including in 2022 where on average football prices saw a 30% increase nationwide.

With the recent cost of living crisis in Australia, the cost of sports has been a massive influence on players either starting or returning to play football in Australia.

FQ’s massive increase in participants has made football the most-played team sport in Queensland, having the largest increase in players of all state federations last season. The continued low prices have been voiced as a key contributor to this success.

As a federation with a large contribution to Australian football in player numbers and successful professionals, its ability to keep prices low is a massive accomplishment.

Other state federations should look to FQ for inspiration in replicating their economic management if Australia wants to maintain participant numbers and ease the financial pressure to play football.

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