Football Queensland invest heavily into referee development  

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Football Queensland have announced a significant investment into referee development, with seven Referee Coach and Development Officers appointed across the sunshine state.

The officers will work closely with the FQ referee department to raise the standard of officiating in Queensland.

“On behalf of Football Queensland, I’d like to congratulate the Referee Coach and Development Officers who have been appointed to the newly-created roles,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.

“In the 2020–2022 Strategic Plan, we identified the need to grow referee numbers across the state whilst improving the quality and standard of refereeing. The appointment of these seven Officers represents the biggest investment Football Queensland has made in match officials and a step change in achieving our strategic referee outcomes.

“This announcement follows the implementation of a range of new FQ referee initiatives in the last 18 months, including the first-year referee pack, referee e-learning platform and the Referee Academy.

“It was fantastic to see these new initiatives result in an 18% increase in referee registrations in February 2020 compared to February 2019, however we know there is still more important work ahead to realise our Strategic Plan target of reaching 2,200 referees by 2022.”

“These appointments will ensure that we have consistency across the state with regards to referee education and coaching, fitness training and assessments, and will be critical in supporting the delivery of FQ’s Strategic Plan outcomes.”

FQ State of Referee Manager, Jacqui Hurford, said of the new developments: “The Referee Coach and Development Officers will assist the FQ Referee Department with the recruitment and retention of referees in each zone, while providing a new level of support to match officials from a local perspective.

“The zone-based Referee Coach and Development Officers will also provide valuable guidance to FQ on how we can better assist the zones in strengthening referee development and support.

“With additional development coordinators, appointment coordinators and quality coaches now supporting the work already being undertaken at a zone level, particularly in regional areas, we are confident that FQ is heading in the right direction and on track to increase referee numbers across the state.”

The seven Referee Coach and Development Officers are Marsh Camille (Sunshine Coast), Brad Burton (Wide Bay), Trevor May (Mackay), Sam Williams (CQ), Cory Skilton (North Queensland – Southern Conference) and Nathan O’Connor (North Queensland – Northern Conference).

In the Gold Coast zone, Mark Simon-Green will oversee the role with the help of locally appointed referee coaches.

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Weston Bears Park to Transform into a State-of-the-Art Sports Hub

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Weston Bears Park upgrade new clubroom facilities

The Weston Bears Park upgrade will deliver modern, accessible facilities for football players, spectators, and the local community in Newcastle. Construction is well underway and the project scheduled to finish by February 2026.

The upgrade is part of Cessnock City Council’s ongoing community projects. It will improve local sports infrastructure and support community engagement. Weston Bears Park hosts daily training and matches for Premier League and junior teams. Additionally, it serves as a venue for community events.

The project includes:

  • Refurbishing the grandstand to create new clubrooms, a canteen, office space, and members’ area

  • Building team change rooms, referee facilities, and a gym

  • Upgrading spectator amenities, including toilets and better access

  • Constructing a new car park and improving landscaping

The Weston Bears Facility Upgrade follows the adoption of the Weston Bears Park Masterplan in September 2020. Council consulted with Weston Bears Football Club, Weston Junior Football Club, Weston Workers Club, and the community. This ensured the upgrades meet the needs of all users.

Funding comes from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program and Council’s operational budget. This partnership shows a shared commitment to local sport and community wellbeing.

Cessnock City Council Mayor said: “This upgrade marks an exciting step for Weston Bears Park. It will provide modern, accessible facilities for everyone—from grassroots players to long-time supporters. We are proud to invest in infrastructure that brings people together and strengthens our sporting culture.”

Ultimately, the project will transform Weston Bears Park into a state-of-the-art sporting hub. Consequently, it will remain a key centre for football and community activity in Newcastle for many years.

Elite Coaching Secrets Revealed: Chris Ramsey MBE to Inspire Australian Youth Coaches

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Chris Ramsey MBE presenting youth coaching strategies

Football Coaches Australia has announced a special online CPD session featuring Chris Ramsey MBE on Monday, November 17th at 7:30 pm AEDT. The timing is significant: Ramsey will be joining the session immediately following his involvement with the FIFA U17 World Cup.

This means Australian coaches will receive fresh, real-world insights from one of the game’s most respected youth development experts while his observations are still current.

Elite Experience Meets Youth Development

Ramsey brings a rare dual perspective to the session. As a former Premier League coach and current Professional Development Phase Lead for England’s youth teams, he has worked across both elite senior and youth environments.

This combination gives him unique insight into what young players actually need to succeed at the highest levels. He’s not theorising about development pathways; he’s actively shaping them for England’s next generation of elite footballers.

The Maturation Factor

The session will focus on a critical but often misunderstood aspect of youth coaching: “The Need to Consider Growth and Maturation when Developing Young Players.”

Ramsey will explore how physical, psychological, and emotional maturity impact player performance. More importantly, he’ll share how the world’s best youth systems adapt their coaching to account for these differences.

This isn’t about treating all players the same. It’s about recognising that young athletes develop at different rates and adjusting coaching approaches accordingly.

Practical Takeaways From the World Stage

The U17 World Cup provides the perfect laboratory for observing these maturation differences in action. Players from different countries, backgrounds, and development systems compete at the same age level but often display vastly different levels of physical and mental maturity.

Ramsey will draw from these specific observations to illustrate how elite programs identify and work with these variations. Australian coaches attending the session will gain access to strategies currently being used at the highest levels of international youth football.

Session Details

The CPD session takes place on Monday, November 17th at 7:30 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time online. This represents a valuable opportunity for coaches to learn directly from someone actively working at the forefront of international youth development.

With Ramsey’s MBE recognition and his current role shaping England’s youth teams, the session offers Australian coaches a direct connection to elite European development thinking and practice.

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