Football Queensland introduce Q-League to promote cultural diversity

In a statement released on Friday, Football Queensland announced that they will be introducing a new league into the system, which will replace the SEQ Football Competition.

The Q-League will launch at the start of next season and it’s another key aspect of their 2020-2022 Strategic Plan released earlier this year which has been executed well.

Cultural diversity is something that is ever-growing in Australia and Football Queensland has taken the opportunity to celebrate this, whilst also enhancing their local competition.

Their Strategic Plan outlined that there were clear intentions to make soccer as readily available for everyone in the state as humanly possible. This is something that usually goes without saying, but FQ have decided to attribute more resources to this area in an attempt to get ahead of the pack.

Teams can apply for entry into the league through a link on the press release page, which can be accessed via the link in the above tweet from Football Queensland.

The full press release can be found below:

Football Queensland (FQ) has today announced the launch of the Q-League for the 2020 season.

The Q-League, a structure league competition with a focus on multiculturalism and inclusion, will launch in 2020 to replace the SEQ Football competition and has been designed to celebrate Queensland’s cultural diversity.

The new league will fall under FQ’s Community pillar, with three pillars to encompass Queensland competitions and programs from next year; High Performance, Community and Social.

The announcement of the FQ Community League follows the release of the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan for football in Queensland, which outlines a vision to provide high-quality, accessible football experiences to allow anyone to be involved in football regardless of age, gender, location or cultural background.

Aligning with this vision, the community league has been developed to provide an opportunity for newly-arrived community members and teams to participate in an organised football competition.

Chief Executive Officer Robert Cavallucci said Football Queensland was focused on growing participation opportunities across the state.

“Football Queensland has identified a need to provide opportunities for more people to participate in football no matter their cultural background, age and ability, and this will be a focus for us over the next three years,” Cavallucci said.

“Football Queensland is committed to growing the game in Queensland, and we will do this by working on the development of new products and game formats to make football more accessible across the state.”

Murray Bird, General Manager – Operations, Compliance & Game Development said the Q-League would provide a pathway for community players wanting to transition to club football.

“While offering an opportunity for community teams of a range of cultural backgrounds to compete in a structured competition, the Q-League will also provide a pathway to club football for players and teams,” Bird said.

“We are pleased to be able to support these players who have a goal of transitioning from the community league to club football.”

 

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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