Football Queensland expands Coach Education Network statewide

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Image credit: Football Queensland

Football Queensland (FQ) has confirmed the expansion of the Coach Education Tutors (CET) program. This initiative emphasises a developmental focus on rural and urban communities across the state to benefit high-quality coach and player development.

FQ now has over 40 CETs in grassroots and foundation courses. The addition of eight new C Diploma and four new B Diploma tutors will be a cornerstone of FQ’s 2023-2026 One Football Strategic plan and FQ’s 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy.

The benefits of the expansion of the CETs program are as follows:

  • Amplify the quality of coaching across Queensland
  • Talent development support has increased
  • Enhance player experience through access to qualified coaches
  • Mentorship opportunities are available to new coaches

FQ General Manager – Football and State Technical Director, Gabor Ganzcer, spoke about the increase in the CET program and its benefits for FQ’s long-term success in development.

“By providing quality training and upskilling opportunities, we foster a culture of excellence that resonates across all game levels. Every coach plays a crucial role in delivering a top-tier experience, and we are dedicated to equipping them with the best training available,” he said in a press release.

“Expanding our network of CETs will not only enhance the quality of coaching across the state but also enrich the overall experience for players as access to more qualified coaches will empower our community and help nurture the next generation of football talent.”

Football Australia’s established interview process and thorough screening of new CETs ensure a high-quality football experience for more participants. Capitalising on modern technology and an updated learning/training program to upskill tutors, FQ will provide high standards of football education in regional and metropolitan Queensland communities.

FQ Technical Director – Coach Development, Davide Bartamini, highlights the strengthening of the community coaching framework.

“This is a proud moment for Football Queensland and an important advancement in our strategy to strengthen football education throughout the state, and we commend the dedication and hard work of all those involved in this process and celebrate the high calibre of the new CETs,” he said in a press release.

“Additionally, with the latest accreditations, we now have 21 CETs qualified to deliver ‘C’ Diploma courses and four new ‘B’ Diploma CETs, bringing the total number of ‘B’ Diploma tutors to seven. This expansion, which includes representatives from regional areas, underscores our commitment to making football education accessible throughout Queensland and enhancing mentorship opportunities for coaches.”

The enhancement of the CET program will send representatives to rural grassroots areas, focusing on statewide development. Making football accessible throughout Queensland and providing ample developmental initiatives to increase talent and participation are key long-term strategies for the state.

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Football Australia Expands Mental Skills Program for Match Officials Amid Sustained Focus on Referee Retention

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football Australia has confirmed a second national webinar for match officials, led by sports psychologist Dr Liam Slack, extending a referee development series introduced after strong engagement with an initial session on managing match-day pressure.

The upcoming session, themed “parking with purpose,” will focus on decision-making strategies designed to help referees process on-field calls and reset attention quickly across a match that can present hundreds of individual decisions. Dr Slack, who also consults with The Football Association and the AFC Referee Academy and previously spent over a decade as a performance psychologist with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited in England, brings substantial elite-level experience to a program open to officials at every level, from grassroots to professional.

The theme builds on work Dr Slack has already delivered within Australian officiating. He recently led a session with Football Australia’s National Referee Academy on the same concept, framing the ability to consciously park a decision and refocus on the next phase of play as a trainable skill rather than an innate trait, one that separates officials who reset quickly under pressure from those who don’t. He has also addressed more than 100 Football Australia elite match officials and staff on developing a stronger match-day mentality, an indication of how embedded this psychological framework has become across the officiating pathway rather than remaining a one-off intervention.

The expansion of the webinar series reflects a broader shift in how football administrators are approaching referee attrition. Rather than treating retention purely as a recruitment or pay problem, the program signals an institutional acknowledgment that the psychological demands of officiating, particularly the compounding pressure of split-second decisions under public scrutiny, are a material factor in whether officials remain in the game.

It rests alongside other measures adopted across Australian football in recent years, including visible identification programs for junior referees and structural reviews of referee departments at state federation level, all aimed at the same underlying issue: a shrinking pool of match officials relative to demand.

Football Australia has not detailed metrics for assessing the program’s impact on referee numbers, though the recurring engagement of an internationally credentialed specialist across multiple tiers of the officiating pathway suggests sustained institutional investment in the approach.

Football Victoria elevates fan enjoyment with Streets partnership

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Image credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

Football Victoria (FV) revealed last week a new partnership with ice cream giants, Streets. The brand will become an exclusive ice cream partner for the next three years.

 

An iconic brand for joyful experiences

As a well-known and popular ice cream brand with people all around the nation, Streets will now look to support the fan experience in Victoria through its products.

It reflects FV’s commitment to delivering a family-friendly and memorable experience for spectators. Both on and off the pitch, the organisation is striving to elevate the experience for fans and families alike.

“Football Victoria is always looking for ways to elevate the experience at The Home of The Matildas, and this partnership does exactly that,” explained FV Executive Manager of Commercial and Facilities, Chris Speldewinde.

“It’s a fantastic fit for our community and we’re looking forward to what the next three years will bring.”

Furthermore, Senior Brand Manager at Streets, Ryan Katz, emphasised the brand’s role in community sport and in creating memories beyond the action on the pitch.

“Streets is proud to join Football Victoria as its exclusive ice cream partner,” Katz said.

“There’s nothing better than enjoying a great game with a classic ice cream in-hand, and we’re excited to be part of those moments across the state.”

 

Understanding community football

Community football is all about these moments. Sunny days, the family together, and a sweet treat in-hand while supporting a local team alongside friends and neighbours.

This is why a partnership between FV and Streets is particularly important.

Not for its commercial value, but for what it tells us about both parties’ understanding of what matters to fans. From young fans to experienced matchday-goers, everyone wants to find enjoyment while watching the game.

And while the 90 minutes of action is the focus, the experience of a local matchday is truly defined by interactions with fellow supporters and smaller – but no less significant – moments of happiness during the day.

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