Football Queensland launches Volunteer Guide in support of clubs

FQ announcement

In an effort to assist clubs across the state with the recruitment and retention of volunteers, Football Queensland has unveiled its Volunteer Guide.

The Volunteer Guide is dedicated to the many volunteers who ensure that Football Queensland’s 180,000 participants enjoy their football year-in, year-out. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, two out of three volunteers across the state made the difficult decision to stand down from their roles.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of football across not just Queensland, but grassroots football in Australia. Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, acknowledged that the Guide was a significant addition to the range of support services made available to clubs throughout the state.

“This clear, easy-to-read Guide focuses on three key areas including understanding volunteers, the role of volunteer coordinators and the ‘four R’s’: Recruitment, Retention, Recognition and Review,” Cavallucci said.

“At Football Queensland, we recognise that volunteers are the lifeblood of the game and vitally important to the ongoing growth of football throughout Queensland.

“Whether it be at a grassroots community club or one of the elite clubs in the National Premier Leagues Queensland, volunteers play a crucial role in club operations and making the world game Queensland’s most popular participation sport.

“However, research by Volunteering Australia suggests that an estimated two in three volunteers stepped away from their roles in 2020 due in part to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This only strengthens our resolve to meet our strategic objective to make working in football easier for those selfless clubmen and women who volunteer their time to run our clubs, manage our teams, referee our matches, staff our canteens and much more.

“As part of FQ’s Club Support Hub, the Volunteer Guide offers clubs practical assistance in building a strong foundation for volunteers to join, stay and encourage others to help.

“Volunteers have never been more crucial to sport and this Guide will help clubs grow the game throughout Queensland and make football the game of choice, for all, for life.”

Melbourne City FC and Tarneit United to promote grassroots growth

Tarneit United and Melbourne City

Melbourne City FC announced that Tarneit United Soccer Club are a Macca’s City Clubs Platinum Partner for the current 2023/24 A-Leagues season.

Melbourne City have used their partnership with McDonald’s Australia to create The Macca’s City Clubs program. This program aims to engage junior grassroots football clubs across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria with the aim to help grow football on and off the pitch.

The club seek to create purposeful long-term relationships with every club they work with and make a huge impact on the development and participation numbers of the sport.

It was originally launched in the 2021/22 A-Leagues season, and the club continues to grow the club network utilising this amazing program every season.

There are plenty of benefits for Tarneit United SC that come out of this partnership including “Coach the Coach” workshops led by our experienced Melbourne City coaches, player meet and greets, and the opportunity to take part in exclusive matchday experiences and offers.

Tarneit United President, Burhan Farah explained why this partnership would benefit the members of the club greatly.

“Tarneit United is in the heart of the west and we’re excited to partner with the best A-League club in the country. Farah mentioned in a Melbourne City press release

“A love for football is our number one driver, and by aligning our club with Melbourne City FC, we hope to inspire our coaches and players to continue to grow our game in the community.

“It’s an honour to be a Macca’s City Club Platinum Partner and we look forward to supporting Melbourne City from the stands this season.”

Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse explained the importance of growing grassroots football in Victoria.

“We’re delighted to welcome Tarneit United to the Macca’s City Club program on the eve of the 2023/24 A-Leagues season. Rowse added in a club press release.

“Supporting grassroots football is important to us at Melbourne City FC, and with the addition of Tarneit United, we now have thirteen Macca’s City Club Platinum Partners stretching right across Melbourne.

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Tarneit United and can’t wait to give their participants plenty of unforgettable experiences and opportunities in the years ahead.”

Melbourne City through their Football School and Maccas City Clubs programs have set a standard for the other teams in the league to hopefully follow in the near future.

The importance of setting a fantastic grassroots foundation of football in the country can never be undermined and this partnership provides another great example of it.

PSG eyeing huge Parc des Princes redevelopment

Parc des Princes revamp

Despite uncertainties over its future at the 48,000-capacity Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain is continuing to investigate possibilities for significant redevelopment work.

According to the French publication L’Équipe, PSG is considering putting a roof and a retractable pitch to the Parc des Princes as part of an ambitious expansion proposal. The stadium is owned by the City Council of Paris, and any substantial renovations would need PSG to buy the site.

PSG has many possibilities on the table, according to L’Équipe, and the club is still interested in purchasing the Stade de France. PSG must submit an offer to purchase the Stade de France by January 3.

PSG held a survey with its supporters in March about the club’s stadium alternatives, outlining four ideas. A “significant” refurbishment of the Parc des Princes, a shift to a restored Stade de France, a new stadium to the west of Paris, and a new site within a 20 kilometre radius of the Parc des Princes that may include the town of Poissy were all possibilities.

If the team is unable to execute a deal to buy the Parc des Princes, it may attempt to buy the Stade de France or relocate to one of two new locations in the city.

The French government presently owns the Stade de France through the Consortium Stade de France. In 1995, the state handed the two corporations control of the 77,083-capacity stadium under a deal with the partnership created by construction firms Vinci and Bouygues.

The agreement between Vinci and Bouygues will expire on July 1, 2025. The cost of acquiring the facility is estimated to be over $657 million, with additional expenditure necessary to transform it to the demands of a football club.

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