Football Queensland one step closer to gender parity

Football Queensland have released numbers for the 2023 year that show a steep rise in female participation across all age groups following the incredible Women’s World Cup held on home soil.

In 2023, the split for Football Queensland participation was set at 69.8% Male and 30.2% Female which represents a hefty increase from 25.5% participation in 2022. The federation have been adamant that the 50/50 gender parity goal can be achieved by the start of the 2027 season which matches Football Australia’s Gender Equality Action Plan.

In the 2023-2026 Football Queensland Strategic Plan, the federation recognised that they had to transform their Women and Girls Strategy by integrating it with FQ’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan and Schools Strategy to supercharge growth.

The plan mentioned that there will be new facilities in place for boys and girls teams built in Brisbane’s North which will deliver state-of-the-art playing fields, a clubhouse, and community spaces.

This ambition to fast track growth means that FQ are putting an emphasis on creating the best possible foundation for ongoing growth on their path to 50/50 participation. This consists of improving numbers in coaching, volunteering and refereeing for women and girls.

Quickly, the federation are seeing results in many different sectors of the women’s game, most recently announcing that there was an incredible 81.4% participation increase recorded at women and girls festivals and programs in 2023.

FQ also has an ongoing commitment to supporting the progression of female coaches which was seen in the 2023 success that resulted in a 28% increase in female coach numbers for the year.

The next step for Football Queensland is ensuring the up and coming talent in the women’s game is properly developed by making use of the FQ Academy QAS program. The program has been a major success and has produced players for Australia’s national teams, including eight players in the CommBank Matildas squad for the 2023 WWC.

The strategic plan key targets outlined that FQ are ensuring there will be at least 25 Advanced female technical directors and female technical staff in key roles across Queensland by 2026.

This drive to utilise the success of the 2023 WWC along with strategic planning and tactical investment in the women’s game has allowed the federation to see enormous growth so quickly.

They are well on their way to hitting important KPI’s, similar to the 50/50 gender parity by 2027 and 62,000 club based female participants by 2026 which signify the change in modern football.

Image credit: Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock.com

UEFA has confirmed that Coca-Cola will once again serve as an official global sponsor for UEFA EURO 2028, marking the company’s 11th consecutive tournament. This partnership, which began in 1988, celebrates a 40-year milestone in one of European football’s longest-standing commercial relationships.

Under the renewed agreement, Coca-Cola will serve as the official non-alcoholic beverage sponsor of UEFA EURO 2028, set to take place across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The deal grants Coca-Cola exclusive pouring rights at all nine host stadiums, visibility in official fan zones and villages, LED pitch-side branding, as well as global digital rights and fan engagement initiatives.

40 Years Strong: Coca-Cola and UEFA Unite Fans Worldwide

UEFA’s Executive Director of Marketing, Guy-Laurent Epstein, highlighted the impact and longevity of the collaboration.

“Since 1988, Coca-Cola has been a proud supporter of the UEFA European Football Championship. Together, we have created lasting memories across generations. As we embark on our 11th consecutive tournament together, we look forward to delivering even more memorable experiences for supporters,” he said via press release.

Javier Meza, Marketing President for Coca-Cola Europe, described the renewed deal as a key element of the brand’s wider experience-focused marketing strategy.

“UEFA EURO 2028 will mark 40 years of Coca-Cola’s collaboration with UEFA. We will proudly refresh and inspire fans in stadiums, fan zones, and at home. This partnership supports our mission to bring people together, and we look forward to creating uplifting experiences that bring fans even closer to the action,” he said via press release.

Attendees will have access to a range of Coca-Cola beverages, including Coca-Cola, Powerade, water, and ready-to-drink coffee and fruit-based drinks, with options available in low-sugar and sugar-free varieties.

Coca-Cola has played a part in many of the tournament’s most memorable moments, from the 1988 finals in West Germany to recent editions featuring advanced digital activations.

The company will leverage its rights across retail, live events, digital platforms, and in-venue experiences, advancing from traditional stadium advertising to a multi-channel approach to engage consumers.

Image credit: Macarthur Bulls FC

Macarthur Bulls FC has confirmed a colloboration with DLK Advisory, who will come on board as a corporate partner backing the Club’s business and networking events for the coming two seasons.

DLK Advisory, known for its accounting and tax services across family groups, SMEs, government, not-for-profits, and major corporations, will support the Bulls’ expanding business network by enhancing the Club’s corporate events that connect sponsors, partners, and stakeholders throughout South West Sydney and beyond.

As a key element of the affiliation, DLK Advisory will team up with the Bulls’ commercial department to create quality networking experiences that reinforce relationships within the Club’s corporate network and spotlight the energetic, forward-thinking business community linked to the A-League.

Reflecting on the new alliance, David Lilja, Director of DLK Advisory, shared his excitement about the collaboration and the values both organisations bring to the deal.

“We are proud to partner with the Macarthur Bulls as they continue to inspire their supporters and the wider community,” he said via press release.

“This partnership provides a wonderful platform to introduce our refreshed brand, DLK Advisory – a firm built on trust and driven by excellence.

“We provide strategic accounting and tax solutions to a diverse range of clients, and like the Bulls, we are committed to performance, teamwork, and achieving outstanding results. We look forward to supporting the club’s success this season.”

Mark Jensen, Chief Commercial Officer of Macarthur Bulls FC, highlighted the value DLK Advisory will bring to the club’s growing corporate network.

“DLK Advisory are a fantastic addition to the Bulls family, their expertise will add real value to our corporate events program, ensuring our partners and stakeholders have meaningful opportunities to connect, share ideas, and grow together,” he said via press release.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering a first-class experience on and off the field.”

The accord with DLK Advisory opens new opportunities for the Bulls to connect with the business community, fostering innovation, growth, and shared success throughout the region.