Football Queensland re-elect Jackie Knight and Ross Thompson to Board of Directors

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Football Queensland has confirmed the re-election of Jackie Knight and Ross Thompson to the FQ Board of Directors following the Annual General Meeting held at Meakin Park on Sunday, June 12.

Knight is a senior financial executive with a reputation for providing strong commercial management and financial stability, efficiency and compliance in business. Currently focused on business consulting, she boasts expertise in transformation, process design and development, and profit maximisation.

Thompson is Group CEO of PeopleIN, the largest ASX-listed workforce management and staffing company in APEC. He has led in a wide range of multi-national corporate, sporting and military environments and built sustainable and profitable professional service operations in Australia, Asia and Africa.

“Football Queensland’s 20 members endorsed stability and continuity in re-electing both Jackie and Ross, having already made significant contributions to the game’s governance here in Queensland in their capacity as Board Members,” FQ President Ben Richardson said in a statement via FQ.

“The FQ Board is confident that they will continue to play an instrumental role in the growth and development of our game, bringing valuable experience and expertise across a range of business areas as we work towards further uniting football in Queensland.”

Following their re-election, Knight and Thompson will continue to serve on the FQ Board of Directors alongside Ben Richardson, Paula Robinson, Amy Chapman, Nigel Fanning and Matt McKay.

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Football Queensland records regional growth

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Image credit: Football Queensland

Football Queensland’s Far North and Gulf region has recorded unprecedented development figures throughout 2024, transforming the regional football landscape.

Football Queensland has stated that coaching participation has soared by 800%, while available courses have also increased to 400%, heralding a new era for football development in Queensland’s northern corridor.

The introduction of female-only coaching courses has proved pivotal. With 29 participants, Football Queensland has marked a significant advancement towards its 2027 gender parity target and built on the growing appeal of female coaching in the region.

Football Queensland General Manager and State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer noted the significance of these developments.

“Delivering courses specifically designed for female participants forms part of FQ’s broader commitment to inclusivity and diversity, as outlined in our 2023-2026 One Football Strategy, as we continue striving to reach our 50/50 gender parity target by 2027 by supporting and catering for women and girls across all roles in football,” he said via press release.

“These figures demonstrate our organisation’s commitment to grassroots development. The response has exceeded all expectations.

The expansion of coach education remains paramount for Football Queensland’s Far North and Gulf region, with local capacity building central to its strategy. The development of both players and coaches ensures clear pathways within the FQ Academy for local talent to progress to state and national representation.

Football Australia’s revised course structures have enhanced the relevance of coaching education for community practitioners across the region. These modifications provide coaches with refined tools and methodologies to better support grassroots player development.

The organisation’s commitment to excellence will extend into 2025 with the planned introduction of the AFC/FQ B Diploma, further strengthening the region’s coaching pathway.

FQ Senior Manager – Technical (Northern Conference) Michael Edwards emphasised the strategic importance of this data.

“The growth of the FNG region’s football ecosystem in 2024 is also reflected in the rising commitment of local clubs to invest in their professional development, with Cairns-based Southside Comets FC making history by becoming one of the first four regional clubs to achieve Tier 2 club development status,” he said via press release.

“This milestone reflects a strong commitment to not only improving coaching practices but also expanding their club’s access to the FQ Academy pathway.”

These achievements align with Football Queensland’s 2023-2026 One Football Strategy, establishing clear pathways through the FQ Academy for emerging talent.

As Football Queensland moves into 2025, these developmental foundations are a positive first step to further advance regional football throughout the Far North and Gulf region.

Football Queensland TV sees record viewership growth in 2024

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Image credit: ImYanis / Shutterstock.com

Football Queensland’s digital broadcasting platform, FQTV, has achieved remarkable growth in 2024, viewership across all competitions increased by 23%, with an additional 315,000 viewers tuning in to Queensland football content.

The platform’s success has been particularly evident in women’s football, which experienced an extraordinary 113% surge in viewership, attracting 118,000 new viewers. This growth aligns with Queensland’s record-breaking 44% increase in female participation for 2024.

FQTV’s Match Centre remains the primary platform for streaming Queensland’s major football competitions, including the National Premier Leagues Queensland, Football Queensland Premier League, and various statewide tournaments.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci highlighted the significance of this achievement.

“This year’s viewership surge is a testament to the growing demand for local football content as FQ recorded an additional 315,000 viewers tuning in to watch Queensland’s football action on FQTV, demonstrating the expanding reach and increasing interest in high-quality, community-driven football,” he said via FQ press release.

“Through the streaming of matches on FQTV’s Match Centre, clubs gain exposure to a much larger audience, which is key to strengthening community and commercial ties and is an invaluable tool for clubs to showcase their on-field talent, captivate new supporters to boost matchday attendances, and increase sponsorship value and opportunity.”

The platform has also seen significant growth in regional football coverage, expanding its streaming services to include more matches from the Kappa Pro Series and statewide Kappa Queensland Cup.

Looking ahead to major sporting events, including the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, Cavallucci emphasised the platform’s role in capitalising on football’s growing momentum.

“With the excitement following the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and upcoming events such as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, local clubs now have an unprecedented opportunity to capitalise on this momentum,” he added via FQ press release.

FQTV’s Match Centre’s increased viewership is a strong indicator for the growing support local football is receiving from their fan base in Queensland. Local football has been struggling for recognition in Australia and this data proves that the sport’s growth opportunity is there.

With the coming second tier in 2025, the Australian football pyramid is gaining community and financial support.

This news from one of Australia’s strongest footballing states only strengthens the popularity for the sport and its justified call for support to develop.

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