Football Queensland appoints new staff in regional areas

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Football Queensland has appointed three new staff in Wide Bay and Central Coast regions of Queensland to bolster services in those areas.

Experienced coach Alec Wilson has joined FQ as Senior Manager in Club Development, Talent and Coaching.

Wilson holds an AFC A License with experience in sporting organisations across the globe, headlined by Football South Australia, New Zealand Football and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. He will be based in Wide Bay, Central Coast and the Sunshine Coast where he will work with different clubs and coaches.

The other appointments are Joao Abreu and Rebecca Toohey, both as new Football Queensland Managers. Abreu will be in charge of Wide Bay, while Toohey will be based in the Central Regions.

Abreu is a highly qualified sports management professional who previously worked as Director of Coaching at Toowong FC and as manager of a futsal centre in Brisbane.

Toohey has extensive knowledge of regional sporting communities, having worked with the Australian Sports Commission, CQ University and local football clubs & fitness centres.

Football Queensland Central Coast Region General Manager, Andy Allan:

“Alec, Joao and Rebecca bring a wealth of knowledge and talent to the regions and will work closely with our local football communities to achieve positive outcomes for the game,” he said.

“To have a coach of Alec’s pedigree and technical experience is a huge boost for local players and coaches in the Central Coast Region.

“In the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan, FQ identified the need to grow the game throughout the state and provide high-quality participation experiences.

“These appointments are proof of Football Queensland’s ongoing investment in regional football as we work to achieve those outcomes.”

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Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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