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Football Queensland continues partnership with Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers
Football Queensland (FQ) have announced that Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers will remain the Official Insurance Partner of the organisation.
The renewed partnership ensures that Gow-Gates will continue to provide the Sports Insurance Program whilst also offering additional services to FQ members.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with leading insurance firm Gow-Gates, who have invested in our game over many years,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said to Football Queensland.
“The Sports Insurance Program is a first-class program that provides our football community with a range of cover under various policies, whilst maintaining the affordability of registration.
“To make the process even easier for our Queensland participants, Gow-Gates has launched an updated football specific web portal that includes FAQs on the insurance program as well as the process for making claims.”
Founding Director Anthony Gow-Gates acknowledged the mutual benefit that the partnership has provided for both parties.
“Gow-Gates has a long history of partnering with Football Queensland, and we’re looking forward to continuing to provide support services to the Queensland football community through the Sports Insurance Program,” Gow-Gates told Football Queensland.
“We’re also pleased to provide participants across the state with access to a range of additional services through our continued partnership with Football Queensland.”
In addition to the Sports Insurance Program, the partnership provides FQ members with access to Gow-Gates’ full suite of insurance broking services, including business and organisations, workers compensation and personal insurances.
Football Queensland (FQ) has celebrated its successful Multicultural Programs after a year of impressive advancement.
The programs attracted over 900 participants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, from more than 50 different cultures and nationalities.
FQ Manager, Inclusion Football, Sam Escobar applauded the work of the initiatives.
“Our multicultural programs demonstrate the transformative power of football to connect communities, break down barriers, and create opportunities for individuals to thrive,” he said in a press release.
“This year’s programs were delivered across key regional areas, including Townsville and Toowoomba, where they provided essential support to recently arrived refugee communities including those coming from conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine and Palestine.”
To grow the level of inclusion with football in Queensland, FQ’s Multicultural Youth Program (ages 4-11) and Multicultural Settlement Program (ages 12-20) were highly influential.
“The Multicultural Youth and Settlement Programs have been a resounding success this year as we continue to evolve them to best suit the needs of those who participate, combining football development and participation with social learning support to young people both on and off the pitch,” Escobar continued.
“This year the MYP was delivered in conjunction with the Q-League Schools Program, providing participating schools with a holistic approach to student development, allowing students to not only be able to enhance their football skills through regular competitive games in Q-league, but also grow personally through the social-emotional learning framework embedded within the MYP.”
In addition to providing programs for CALD communities, FQ has also worked to increase female representation in football.
“This year we were also excited to have also delivered female-only initiatives that encouraged more women and girls to participate in the sport within confidence-building and comfortable environments, ensuring that no matter your age, skill level or background, everyone has a place in our game,” Escobar said.
Football Queensland will endure to support diverse and marginal communities’ participation in football across 2025.
Despite its slow start to the season, many pundits believe this season’s Sydney F.C. squad is one of the strongest for many years.
Consequently, it has been difficult for striker Jaiden Kucharski to be selected on a regular basis. However, Jaiden Kucharski’s journey is one marked by moments of brilliance and potential.
For those who observed the power-laden goal he scored against Brisbane Roar in Round 3 and the disallowed volley he despatched against Wanderers two weeks ago, there is no doubt he has all the attributes of a goal-scoring maestro.
Additionally, his powerful right-footed drive from outside the penalty area last Sunday nearly found its mark for a ten-man Sydney F.C. to achieve a 2-2 draw, only to be denied by the agility of Central Coast Mariners custodian Dylan Peraic-Cullen.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
None of this comes as a surprise, as Jaiden Kucharski’s Sydney F.C. record includes twenty-nine goals in three seasons in the NPL Men’s competition.
So, what does the future hold for this talented twenty-two-year-old?
In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Jaiden Kucharski talks about his early exposure to football, his progression through the Sydney FC Academy to the senior squad, and his ambitions in the senior game.
ROGER SLEEMAN
Can you outline your early introduction to the game?
JAIDEN KUCHARSKI
After starting at Glenwood Redbacks as a five year old, I moved to the Football Development Academy and eventually progressed to the Sydney FC Academy at the age of fourteen via the NSW Institute.
R.S.
Who were the early influences in your career?
J.K.
I followed Messi and Ronaldo and also worshipped Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.
Also, due to my Polish background, I admired Robert Lewandowski as a goalscorer.
R.S.
You are equally accomplished on both feet with ferocity on both sides.
When there are so many one sided players in the A-League, how have you managed to achieve this milestone?
J.K.
There was a coach called Cormack at the FDA who worked with me to improve my weaker left side when we went for periods without using the right foot in training.
At the weekends when I was eight or nine, I would train with the ten to fourteen year olds which also harnessed my two sided skills.
At the Sydney FC Academy, Kelly Cross has also nurtured my left side further and now I believe my shooting is better with my left side.
R.S.
You’ve been scoring goals for fun in NPL competition so what role do you see yourself playing?
J.K.
I’ve grown up playing as many positions as possible
However, I want to play up front as one of the two nines and being a target man to either drop to receive the ball and also playing in between and along the last line of defence.
I also want to be able to take the ball myself and score goals by taking opponents on.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
R.S.
The goal you scored against Brisbane Roar in Round 2 was one of the hardest shots ever seen in the A-League.
Could you explain how you did it?
J.K.
My best attribute is my striking contact with the ball, assisted by strong groins and when the cutback came I hit through the ball as hard as I could.
R.S.
Are you prepared to wait for that break to get more game time?
J.K.
I’m contracted with Sydney FC until June next year and I’ve made the most of my playing time so far, but in the end selection is up to the coach.
I could also leave during the transfer window in January if the club allowed me.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
R.S.
Have you had recent discussions with the coaching staff regarding your role in the squad?
J.K.
Not really as I just do everything in training to impress.
However, it was heartening to get a full game against F.C. Kaya and the goal I scored just inside the box to make a 3-0 scoreline, reinforced what I can do when I get space in front of goal.
R.S.
Would you leave Sydney F.C. when your contract expires, and if so where would you go to?
J.K.
I could go to Poland where I have citizenship but I also believe Germany would suit my style of football as an attacking player.
R.S.
It is a star studded squad at Sydney FC but you would be a certain starter at most other A-League clubs.
If the right offer came, would you move to another A-League club?
J.K.
Anything is possible, providing I’m getting game time and further developing as a footballer.
R.S.
Which of your team-mates do you really relate to?
J.K.
Adrian Segecic is an old team-mate who laid the ball off to me for the Brisbane Roar goal and three years ago I provided the pass which allowed him to score his first A- League goal against Macarthur Bulls.
Also, Anthony Caceres is a great foil and I’ve learned a lot from Joe Lolley and more recently Douglas Costa who is impeccable in his movement.
The new striker, Patryck Klimala, is a clinical striker and Leo Sena has that touch of genius which any young player can learn from.
Photo credit: Jaime Castaneda / Sydney FC
R.S.
What is your opinion of the A-League?
J.K.
Foreigners I’ve met say they didn’t expect the A-League to be so strong.
It’s a great step up from NPL to APL as the pace and pressure is so much more demanding.
R.S.
Where do see yourself in three years time?
J.K.
Playing overseas as a regular starter, ideally in a First Division setup.
