Football Queensland announces new club shield system

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Football Queensland has announced a new club shield system which sorts teams into three tiers to provide more clarity for the local community.

Football Queensland has announced a new club shield system which sorts teams into three tiers – National Club Development Program, Skill Acquisition Phase and Youth Academy.

The move to bring in three levels of tiers comes as a way to improve affordability for players, a key strategic focus for Football Queensland.

Football Queensland says that the new visual approach will provide clarity and transparency for the football community – showing exactly where each club sits.

The example of a Tier One Club is given as at least a four star NCDP rating, a gold academy rating and silver SAP rating.

Meanwhile the example of a Tier Two club has a three star NCDP rating, a silver academy rating and a bronze SAP rating.

The example of a Tier Three club has a one star NCDP rating, a bronze academy rating and a silver SAP rating.

The shields will be available by the end of 2020 and will display the club’s tier and ratings for 2021.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the new shield system will make it easier for parents and players to choose which club to play at.

“With the introduction of these new measures to strengthen accountability, transparency and visibility around how each club is performing across 85 areas, the Club Shield will also serve as a mechanism to ensure participation fees represent value and are as affordable as possible, as clubs will now be assessed accordingly,” he said.

“It’s crucial that Football Queensland continues to take steps that assist parents and players with making informed choices about the club they play at and, equally, clubs that take positive steps, build capacity and make progress with their technical programs can celebrate their success in a meaningful way.

“Forming part of ongoing club assessment through the recently announced FQ Club Development Unit, the Club Shield system is presented as a digital design and will serve as a club ‘snapshot’ of standards based on a three-part measuring system.”

Each club will be able to display their shield on their website and club collateral. The shields will also be able to be viewed on Football Queensland’s website.

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Adelaide United renews StudyAdelaide partnership for Asian campaign

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Image Credit: AFC

Adelaide United has brought back a familiar commercial partner for its return to continental competition, with StudyAdelaide signing on as front-of-shirt sponsor for the club’s 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two campaign.

The partnership reconnects two South Australian organisations after StudyAdelaide previously featured on Adelaide United’s shirt during their 2010 AFC Champions League campaign.

Adelaide commenced their six-match group-stage campaign on Thursday at Hindmarsh, defeating Hong Kong’s Tai Po 3-0.

For StudyAdelaide, the value of the partnership extends beyond traditional football sponsorship. The organisation, a partnership between the South Australian Government and more than 50 education institutions, is using Adelaide United’s Asian competition to promote South Australia as an international study destination.

The club’s continental schedule provides exposure in several key Asian markets, with Adelaide travelling to face BG Pathum United in Thailand and Lion City Sailors in Singapore during the group stage.

StudyAdelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said the partnership would provide a great opportunity to connect with young people across Asia.

“Having StudyAdelaide featured throughout this international competition is a unique platform to connect with young people across Asia and highlight the many reasons South Australia is their best option to study, live and build a career,” Johnston said.

The deal illustrates how football’s international competitions can provide commercial value beyond traditional brand exposure, particularly for organisations looking to promote to a specific or new region.

The Reds’ ACL Two campaign continues against BG Pathum United in Thailand on October 15.

Arncliffe Aurora’s Riverine Park investment creates a platform for growth

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Image Credits: Arncliffe Aurora

Arncliffe Aurora Football Club has started a new chapter with the launch of Riverine Park, creating a larger platform for football, community engagement and long-term growth in Sydney’s St George region. More than 2,500 people attended the community opening on 8 August, marking the club’s first matches at its new home and showcasing a significant upgrade in its operating capacity.

Riverine Park provides two full-size natural turf football fields, modern player and community amenities, and a new clubhouse. The additional capacity responds to strong growth in Arncliffe Aurora’s football programs, particularly at junior level. The club has also highlighted a $2.5 million investment in facility upgrades. Together with its existing Arncliffe Park base, Riverine Park gives Aurora two homes and a stronger physical platform for its football operations.

More capacity allows the club to accommodate more teams, players and programs, while updated facilities can support stronger member retention and recruitment. They create more opportunities for coaching, development programs, events and community activities. The new site can also strengthen the club’s commercial proposition; a modern facility gives sponsors greater visibility and provides more opportunities to activate partnerships around football and community events. It can also help the club build relationships with schools, community organisations and football bodies. That matters as grassroots clubs increasingly operate as community hubs rather than simply sporting organisations.

Riverine Park also creates opportunities for the wider football ecosystem. Football St George has identified the facility as a platform to grow participation and provide opportunities for players of different ages, abilities and backgrounds. Bayside Council’s project includes upgraded change rooms, toilets, canteen facilities, lighting, seating and solar panels, adding further functionality to the precinct.

For Arncliffe Aurora, the investment is therefore about more than adding fields. It creates infrastructure that can support participation, player development, community programs and commercial activity over the long term. The challenge now shifts from construction to utilisation. The club must maximise the new capacity, maintain the assets and convert greater participation into a sustainable operating model to benefit the community long-term.

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