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Football Queensland’s 2022 State Referee Conference announced
Football Queensland (FQ) has outlined details for the 2022 State Referee Conference, which will be held at the Logan Entertainment Centre on Saturday, February 5 and Sunday, February 6 next year.
In a two-day event, the conference will welcome a variety of referees covering all levels of the game, and will feature an Assessor Seminar as a main focus for the second day.
“Football Queensland is delighted to invite match officials from across the state to join us for the upcoming State Referee Conference, which is always a highlight of the football calendar for all Queensland referees,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“Regardless of whether you’re just starting out on your refereeing journey or an established match official in the NPL Queensland, the conference is a great development opportunity and a chance to socialise with the wider refereeing community.
“The 2021 State Referee Conference saw referees from all levels of the game come together ahead of the season to hear from guest presenters including Football Australia Head of Referees Nathan Magill.
“Next year’s event will follow a similar structure, with guest presenters joining us for sessions on day one before the Assessor Seminar on day two will welcome assessors and any referees who wish to mentor in 2022.
“We look forward to seeing match officials from across Queensland join us for next year’s State Referee Conference ahead of the 2022 season.”
Further information on guest speakers and topics will be announced in the coming weeks.
The goal of the Local Sport Grants Program is to offer assistance to community-level sports clubs, with the objective of increasing engagement, organizing events, enhancing accessibility, and modernising sports and recreational amenities.
In this latest funding round, a substantial sum of $4.65 million was allocated, providing ample opportunities for local communities to enhance their sporting infrastructure. Each electorate was granted access to $50,000, allowing them to invest in projects that foster active lifestyles and community engagement.
Eligible projects will receive grants of up to $20,000, enabling clubs and organisations to undertake meaningful initiatives aimed at enriching the sporting landscape and promoting physical well-being across the region.
The influence of this initiative on football within NSW is substantial, with over $669,000 directly allocated to the sport. This funding encompasses participation initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and various other aspects, benefiting communities across both urban and rural areas.
Several Football NSW associations have experienced significant benefits from the fund, receiving over $550,000 in allocations. Particularly noteworthy are the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association (SDSFA), Granville District Soccer Football Association (GDSFA), and Football Canterbury, which emerge as primary recipients of support.
SDSFA clubs successfully obtained approval for eight grants, totalling more than $76,000. These grants are directed towards lowering the financial obstacles to football participation and improving the training environment by investing in specialised equipment, coaching courses, and apparel.
The oldest football association in NSW, GDSFA received over $68,000 across four projects. Parramatta Eagles FC, Granville Waratah Soccer FC and Regents Park Saints FC all received the maximum amount of $20,000 ranging from equipment to female programs to help cater for the spike in female football this year post the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Female football is experiencing remarkable growth following the World Cup, with a 17% increase in female player participation recorded year to date.
Manager of Government Relations, Funding and Infrastructure at Football NSW, Daniel Ristic underscored the importance of this funding.
“The Local Sport Grant Program offers football clubs considerable flexibility, enabling them to seek funding for a wide range of needs, including programs, essential equipment, and minor infrastructure projects,” he said via press release.
“We thank the government once again for this ongoing funding, this program truly does a make a difference to local grassroots clubs across NSW each and every year.”
Football Canterbury clubs were also granted a significant sum exceeding $48,000, indicating the region’s strong participation levels and dedication to accommodating diverse members. Most approved grant proposals centre around program-based endeavours, aiming to offer inclusive avenues to football for people of all ages and skill levels.
Football Canterbury is witnessing a surge in registrations, experiencing a 10% rise in participation compared to the 2023 season, with over 19,400 individuals enrolled for the 2024 season.
Preston Lions are making quite the portfolio within their sponsorship contingent, the club has continued to align themselves with thoroughly equipped businesses entity’s both state and nationwide.
Preston are renowned for their unequivocal niche supporter base who have been on the rollercoaster journey since their early humble beginnings.
The club have had dates with destiny across Victorian competitions on four occasions, with their recent state top flight victory occurring in 2007. In the 1987 National Soccer League season where the club finished second in the nationwide top flight of football.
Within the illustrious sponsorship contingent the Lions are accumulating in their efforts to be involved and competitive in the upcoming second national tier, are a subgenre of sponsors who live and breathe the club.
Encompassing the rich history and lifeblood of the club is none other than Boss Landscaping Chief Executive Officer, Steve Spacevski.
Steve throughout his entire life has been immersed within the Lavovi, he represented the club in the late 70s as a reserves player. Despite his short lived playing tenure, his support for the club remains unmatched till this day.
Boss Landscapes are a comprehensive landscaping service operating throughout the north and west sides of Melbourne. It was on a landscaping jobsite where Preston President David Cvetkovski had offered Steve the proposal of joining the clubs sponsorship regime.
Steve without hesitation believed the partnership was a “no brainer”. He amongst the tight-knit Lions community have an ambitious goal at heart. The clubs tenure at a top-flight level have transpired in those synonymous with the club, to reignite the fire in competing within the nation’s highest level.
“To go back to the top league, Where Preston belong. From the National Soccer League days, building towards a future and finding success in the second tier league is important,” Spacevski said.
Spacevski associates success with the nourishment of the clubs lifeblood with Its community.
“We want everyone to come to games, we want the whole family to come to B.T Connor on a Friday or Saturday, whenever it may be. We want it to be a family affair,” he said.
Moving forward as a club the sponsorship contingent are contributing to the clubs prospects of innovating and creating new facilities throughout B.T Connor Reserve. With the past fuelling the present, Spacevski represents the community soul the club possesses.
“We are building as a family. Not to forget the past, but to build towards the future with it in mind,” he said.
Stemming from bottom all the way to the top, Spacevski highlighted the unique point of difference which gives himself and his fellow sponsorship partners a sense of confidence upon the clubs second tier venture.
“At the moment the people that are on the board, from the president all the way down. The vibe and communication is that everyone has the same goal,” he explained.
“Its not just at the top, it’s across the board. Investment into juniors, women’s and men’s programs, there’s no sacrificing one to build the other.”
The Lions have remained a club within Australian football who have sustained diehard support throughout the roller coaster journey it has embarked upon. With the ride heading into a new pathway, sponsors like Steve Spacevski are the fabric of a sports club.
Passion personified through Macedonian culture, the sponsorship agreement between Boss Landscapes and the Preston Lions is what symbolises Victorian football heritage.
