Football Queensland adds new team members to meet 50/50 participation target

Staff Writer
Football Queensland
Image credit: Chris Simpson via Flickr

Football Queensland has confirmed the appointment of three new team members to maintain commitment towards achieving 50/50 gender parity of participants by 2027.

Three new team members have been added in the role of Officer – Participation (Women and Girls) as part of the expansion of Football Queensland’s Game Development team.

These appointments have seen Leah Gubb join the team from the Northern region, while the two other new members, Sophia Stathoulis and Jess Austin, commence in the roles at Football Queensland’s Meakin Park headquarters to provide a brand new level of support for clubs and participants across every region. 

“2023 is an incredibly exciting year for women’s football with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 coming to our state, and the introduction of new roles such as these will prepare Football Queensland to meet the increasing demand of the rapidly growing women and girls participation base,” Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said via press release. 

“Expanding the Game Development team with a particular focus on female participation will allow us to continue to build upon the successes from the past and strive towards our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan target of reaching 50/50 gender parity by 2027.” 

Football Queensland Senior Manager – Game Development Kate Lawson, is excited to see the team expansion and the key part the trio will play in strengthening Football Queensland’s support of clubs, namely for the Be23Ready initiative alongside the state-wide rollout of the Girls United program. 

“These new team members will have a focus on female participation and the planning and facilitation of programs throughout Queensland, including MiniRoos, holiday clinics, Walking Football, and school and diversity programs,” Lawson added via press release. 

“With each of them starting on the field before progressing to these administrative roles, the appointments of Leah, Sophia and Jess are a fantastic example of where the game can take you, and we’re confident that they’ll bring great experience and knowledge to the roles.” 

With the Women’s World Cup on the horizon, now is the time to capitalise on potential participation growth, which is set to boom from this major event.

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Football Victoria marks World Autism Understanding Month with Expanded Inclusion Program

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Image Credit: Football Victoria

Football Victoria has marked World Autism Understanding Month with a series of practical inclusion initiatives delivered in partnership with Aspect, reinforcing the governing body’s commitment to making football accessible for autistic participants across all levels of the game.

The partnership, now in its second year, has moved beyond awareness into structural change. Environmental assessments have been completed across multiple programs and match days, including at Collingwood City FC and the All-Abilities League match day at Northcote City FC. Each assessment identifies accessibility barriers and provides concrete inclusion principles integrated into the physical and operational realities of football environments.

Ahead of the 2025 Football For All Gala Day, Aspect conducted an environmental assessment of The Home of the Matildas, informing the development of a Visual Story designed to help participants with autism understand the venue and event before arriving. The same approach has been applied to FV’s GO Camps program, giving participants and families the information they need to engage with confidence.

Aspect has also delivered multiple education sessions for coaches throughout the partnership, with a dedicated session for referees held on April 20, the first of its kind, extending autism understanding across match officials and into all parts of the game day experience.

Football Victoria has also joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, with training and education to be rolled out across the organisation in the coming months, strengthening its capacity to recognise and support participants with non-visible disabilities.

The initiatives reflect a recognition that access to sport is not guaranteed by an open registration form. For many participants with autism and their families, the barriers are environmental, informational and social; and removing them requires sustained investment in education, assessment and design.

UEFA reaffirm partnership with Oceania Football Confederation

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Image credit: UEFA.com

Last week, UEFA signed a Memoriam of Understanding (MoU) with Oceania’s football governing body to continue its commitment  to football in Oceania.

 

United through football

While being two governing bodies separated by distance, the MoU stands as a symbol of unity and collaboration which supports mutual growth.

The agreement will run until 2031, displaying both parties’ commitment to long-term development through football.

“Europe and Oceania are connected by a shared belief in the importance of investing in people as the foundation of football’s future,” said UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin, via press release.

“This Memorandum of Understanding brings together UEFA’s experience in elite development and education with OFC’s clear focus on nurturing young talent and strengthening football leadership.”

Furthermore, OFC President, Lambert Maltock, also expressed his confidence in the agreement to support players and pathways alike.

“Our partnership with UEFA reflects a shared commitment to developing the game at every level – from grassroots to elite,” said Maltock.

“By investing in our people and working collaboratively, we are building a more connected, capable and globally competitive football ecosystem for Oceania.”

 

What the agreement promises

Continuing UEFA’s recent MoUs with CAF (Africa), Concacaf (North, Central America and the Caribbean) and CONMEBOL (South America), the partnership will seek to address several key aspects. These include:

  • Youth football opportunities – supporting OFC’s annual boy’s and girl’s U15 tournaments.
  • Knowledge exchange – reciprocal observer programmes at club finals and national team tournaments.
  • Football development – delivered through the UEFA Together programme.
  • Coach education – sharing of technical expertise and learning activities.
  • Refereeing – opportunities to referee youth tournaments, courses and technical programmes.

Moreover, the agreement outlines a commitment to ensuring football remains a tolerant and inclusive sport, capable of uniting communities and empowering individuals.

Therefore, the MoU between UEFA and the OFC is symbolic of aligned values, principles and vision for the future of football in both regions.

 

Final thoughts

An alliance of this nature – especially in these uncertain times for global cooperation – is vital.

Football has the power to unite like nothing else.

So governing bodies must recognise the value of connecting across cultures, countries and continents, not only for what it can do for football, but how it can promote fundamental values within the sport as a whole.

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