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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Global Institute of Sport brings AI-powered football analytics into the classroom

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Image Credits: Global Institute of Sport

Technology has for a long time shaped how football clubs analyse players, prepare for matches and make decisions, and that technology is now officially entering the classroom.

The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) has partnered with Impact Soccer to bring AI and computer vision-powered football analytics into its programs.

The partnership will give GIS students hands-on access to advanced analysis technology, and help students understand how artificial intelligence is changing the modern football industry.

Turning Match Footage Into Data

Football analysis has traditionally relied on coaches and analysts watching hours of video, but that process can now be sped up by artificial intelligence.

Impact Soccer uses computer vision and AI to analyse football footage, with its technology able to turn player actions and movements into structured data. The system can also analyse what happens away from the ball. It’s possible to connect YouTube content or upload your own, which Impact Soccer then analyses.

Preparing the Next Generation

Not every important action involves the ball. Players constantly move into space, create passing options and make runs that affect defenders, but these actions can be difficult to measure manually.

Impact Soccer’s technology aims to quantify this off-the-ball influence. Its Impact IQ platform analyses player positioning and movement to provide more information about their impact on the game.

For students, this creates new ways to study football. They can look beyond simple goals, assists and passes and explore how movement and positioning affect a team’s performance. This allows GIS students better access to information that ensures the coaches of tomorrow can make more informed decisions. The partnership is also beneficial for tomorrow’s administrators: sporting directors and scouts also able to gain a broader reading on players where they may or may not spend their club’s finances.

Adding the Next Layer

Football clubs continue to invest in data and technology. Computer vision can track players. GPS systems measure movement. Video analysis helps coaches study matches.

AI is now adding another layer. Students entering the industry will increasingly encounter these technologies in their daily work, and this prior experience during their education can help prepare them for that environment.

Gold Coast International drives futsal growth as international interest surges

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Image Credits: Experience Gold Coast

The 2027 Gold Coast International is set to be the biggest year of growth in the tournament’s history. The tournament has become one of Australia’s premier futsal events. Attracting the best teams from not just Australia but around the world. Andrew Parkes is the founder and managing director of the Gold Coast City Futsal Association and an advisory board member at Football Queensland. He says the tournament, and its international reputation, is only strengthening.

“Registrations are actually a step up from what they were last year,” Parkes said.

“We’ve got several teams from New Zealand. At the moment, we’ve got some Pacific Island teams that have expressed interest in coming. We got interest from Japan, and from England as well.

“We’ve got over 140 teams so far, and that’s not including anything from the local areas.”

Over 200 teams attended the 2026 edition, and the Gold Coast International is well set to break that record next year. The figures show the tournament is becoming more than a local competition. It is building a strong national and international presence.

Football Queensland and Football Australia unite behind growth

Parkes believes collaboration has played a major role in the development of futsal in Queensland. The tournament is sanctioned by both Football Queensland and Football Australia. He praised Football Queensland for its work across the sport. He said the organisation has helped create a stronger and more professional futsal system. This relationship between state and national bodies and the event has allowed the Gold Coast to play host to the national competition as well. This ensures shared resources including referees and courts.

“Football Queensland have been a major driving force and a godsend in relation to the development of futsal,” Parkes said.

“We’ve got the nationals the week before the Gold Coast International now. We’re working in harmony and synergy and supporting each other.

“I think the proofs in the pudding, not just with the Gold Coast International, but with the exposure and obviously the diversity of teams that attend. But then the further development in our local leagues, and that’s resulted in.”

E-sports adds another pathway for players and clubs

E-sports has become another major part of the Gold Coast International. Parkes said he had explored the idea for several years and that the tournament allows the community to grow beyond just the physical players on the court. The use of e-sports also allows friends and families to have an interactive experience with simulators and games whilst at the Gold Coast International.

“We launched e-sports about 2 years ago, just with a bit of a light feel. We’ve incorporated the competition into the tournament fees, which is excellent. So it doesn’t cost anybody anymore to be part of it,” Parkes said.

“It actually allows the clubs and academies to extend on their current offerings as it is at the moment and allows gaming players to be part of the club, to be part of the atmosphere and to join and that unity and be part of that sporting community.”

“We had three times the amount of teams that we had from the first year of e-sports. We’re looking to probably even double that again this year, which is really exciting as well.”

New pathways shape the tournament’s future

Parkes wants the Gold Coast International to keep expanding. He is now looking at ways to create pathways beyond the tournament itself. He said the use of its international experiences that can be earned through the tournament is not only about investing in players. But ensuring coaches have a more time-efficient avenue to be involved with futsal. It also gives more coaches the chance to work with players at an international tournament.

“We’ve now created the Gold Coast International All Stars, which is now embraced by many of the coaches and the players,” Parkes said.

“That also provides coaches who don’t have the time or the ability or whatever for the state teams, and the commitment that they need to put in the state teams throughout the year.”

“It allows us to have a lot more outreach to far more coaches that have a lot of passion and enthusiasm, and be part of the Futsal community. They want to build on the players’ abilities but may not have that year-long or eight-month-long exposure that is required by the state Futsal team coaching staff.”

For Parkes, the future is about widening access while continuing to raise standards. The tournament is growing its international reach, strengthening partnerships and creating new opportunities for both physical and e-sports players. The Gold Coast International is no longer just a tournament. It is becoming a broader platform for the development of futsal and its wider community.

For more information on the Gold Coast International and to inquire about competing in the 2027 edition, visit their website.

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