Football Queensland’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan to meet National Ambition

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FQ Strategic Plan
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Designed to meet the targets and ambitions of a united, national strategy for the game, Football Queensland has released the 2023-2026 One Football Strategic Plan.

The purpose is to bring communities together through football and represent its vision as a leading football nation where everyone is inspired to live and love the game.

If the targets and ambitions of a united national strategy are to be successful, it is necessary to streamline the governance and administration and integrate critical strategic and operational functions and to support the execution of sport initiatives.

The transformation of moving towards an agile, modern, fit-for-purpose framework for football is in line with the international standards and best practices of sports governance in the country.

Football Queensland has dedicated its time and effort by working closely with Football Australia and other Member Federations to unify the sport behind a common purpose and a shared vision with a One Football pathway.

The Strategic Plan covers Football Australia’s vision detailing topics such as focus areas and measures of success across the four main pillars, providing the state of affairs from a national perspective while at the same time covering in-depth plans for implementation at the state level to delivering strong results for football in Queensland.

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, it is of utter importance that the next generation of female participants have a chance to be a part of the world game for which it will involve developing the right pathways, constructing the necessary infrastructure and increasing the support of clubs by delivering the right results in the states across the country.

The governing body of the state is bound to achieve 50/50 gender parity for participants, referees, committees and club officials by 2027. A key component is leaving a lasting legacy for future generations by welcoming the potential for all women and girls across all parts of the game, by giving the opportunity for all.

The four strategic pillars involved in Football Australia’s One Football Plan are Participants and Clubs, Elite Teams and Pathways, Fans and Unifying Football.

The first pillar’s ambition is to be the most accessible sport in the country where everyone can play any time, anywhere, with the focus areas ranging from driving participation retention and growth, especially for women and girls at the national level to evolving Football Queensland’s referee strategy and enhance the referee academy in the state level.

Football Queensland’s key targets are:

  • 328,000 registered participants
  • 9,400 registered coaches
  • 62,000 women and girl participants
  • 3,600 registered referees

The second pillar priority is to reimagine the Australian development for its players by producing world-class teams, players, coaches as well as referees in the country to build capacity in strengthening pathways for improved player results by providing the best technical practice into clubs through an expanded academy of Football Queensland and a coordinated club development program at the state ambitions.

Football Queensland’s key targets are:

  • 20% national representation across all levels
  • 15 Advanced Coaching Courses
  • Home of Football project delivered before 2026
  • 25 advanced female technical directors

National ambitions for the third pillar are to attract and increase an inspired fanbase who adore and devote their time and effort to Australian football properties, the focus areas involve enhancing the passion for the national teams and establishing modern products to drive fan engagement to organising new fan engagements around the current leagues, championships and competition products.

Football Queensland’s key targets are:

  • 15,000-seat capacity tier 2 stadium
  • Convert passive fans to active
  • Celebrating achievements
  • Festivals of Football

Lastly, the aspiration of the fourth pillar is to unite the sport and to recognise the true potential of football not only in the state but in the whole country. By doing this the focus areas will be that administration will be improved in maximising operational efficiencies and governance will need to be enhanced to achieve greater alignment and focus of the national level to improving the football experience, supporting club development and unlocking the achievements of critical strategic objectives.

Football Queensland key targets are:

  • Football first decisions
  • Deliver an agile modern fit-for-purpose framework
  • Reposition resources in administration
  • Increase revenue and efficiencies

Football Queensland has and always will value respect, pride, integrity and unity at all levels of the game.

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Spain’s Liga F receives history-making investment into women’s football

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Image credit: Liga F

The deal, worth AUD 91 million (€55 million) across four seasons, represents a monumental investment into Liga F and women’s football by Gasol16 Ventures and Fortified Partners.

 

Setting the pace

The investment comes as a hugely signficant moment in the history of women’s football not just in Spain, but across Europe.

But, given Spain’s commitment to growing the women’s game in recent years (and the world-beating teams it produces as a result), it is hardly a surprise that Liga F is at the centre of this milestone.

In the 2024-25 season, Liga F distributed AUD 28 million to its clubs, as well as doubling television audiences across two years.

The rate of growth is astounding, and shows no signs of slowing down.

“Women’s football in Spain has made a spectacular leap in recent years: audiences have almost doubled in two seasons, and stadiums are incresingly full,” explained Founder and President of Gasol16 Ventures, Pau Gasol.

“Therefore, this is not a sentimental commitment to women’s sport. It is an investment decision based on data, market trends, and the conviction that women’s football represents a growth opportunity with enormous potential for value creation.”

Thus, Gasol’s motivation reveals much about his own reasons for investing, as well as about the current status of women’s football in Spain.

The landscape does not want, or need, sentimental commitment. It is a financial and sporting powerhouse in its own right, and one which can grow to new heights year-on-year.

 

Securing a successful future

Furthermore, the long-term nature of the deal (set for the next four seasons from the 2026-27 campaign) shows vision and ambition for what the league can become.

“This agreement allows us to look further ahead and equip ourselves with the necessary tools to continue building an increasingly strong, more competitive league with greater capacity to generate value for our clubs,” outlined President of Liga F Beatriz Álvarez Mesa.

“What excites me most about this alliance is not just the investment it brings, but the message it sends: there are people and institutions who believe in the potential of Liga F and want to be part of its growth.”

 

Final thoughts

This is in stark contrast to the current situation of the A League Women in Australia, which PFA Chief Executive Beua Busch described as at a “tipping point”.

The problems remain the same as they were several years ago. Investment, player satisfaction and attendances are well below other major leagues. The key is creating a product which presents the immense value of clubs, players and commercial opportunities.

Because when intentional investment comes, the question stops being ‘who will invest?’ but ‘who wouldn’t?’ .

Juan Mata Commits to Melbourne Victory’s Future with Ownership Stake

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Image Credit: A-Leagues.com

Melbourne Victory has announced that Spanish football icon Juan Mata has joined the club’s ownership group, marking one of the most significant investment moves by a current international footballer in Australian football history.

The agreement sees Mata acquire an ownership stake in Victory while continuing to weigh up whether he will extend his playing career beyond the 2025/26 A-League Men’s season. The investment is separate from any future playing contract and reflects a long-term commitment to both the club and the wider Australian football landscape.

Should Mata eventually retire from professional football, he will also take on a leadership role by chairing a newly established football committee at Melbourne Victory, helping shape the club’s football operations and strategic direction.

More than another football investment

While former elite players have increasingly entered football ownership around the world, Mata’s decision stands apart because he is investing directly into the club he currently represents.

The move places Melbourne Victory among a growing list of clubs benefiting from investment by globally recognised football figures. However, unlike celebrity ownership groups where players often become passive investors after retirement, Mata is embedding himself within the club while still competing at the highest domestic level.

Commercial terms of the transaction remain confidential, although the investment has been described as a significant long-term minority stake designed to strengthen the partnership between Mata and the club well beyond his playing career.

A vote of confidence in Australian football

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the announcement is what it says about the perception of Australian football internationally.

After arriving in Australia following spells with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Valencia, few would have predicted that Mata would choose to invest his own capital into an A-League club.

Instead, the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner has described Australian football as a competition with genuine long-term potential.

“Australian football has a future I genuinely believe in,” Mata said.

“From the moment I arrived at Melbourne Victory, I’ve felt the passion of this club and the potential of the A-Leagues, and I want to be part of building what comes next—not just for a season, but for the long term.”

Mata added that becoming a shareholder represented “the natural next step” after enjoying his first season at Victory.

Rewarding an outstanding first season

The investment follows what has been one of the finest individual campaigns by a marquee player in recent A-League history.

The 38-year-old registered five goals and 13 assists across 25 appearances during the 2025/26 season, earning the Johnny Warren Medal as the league’s best player while also claiming Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Year honours. His performances helped guide Victory back into the Finals Series and demonstrated that his influence extends far beyond his reputation.

Rather than treating Australia as a final destination before retirement, Mata has instead become increasingly involved in shaping the game’s future.

A growing portfolio of sporting investments

Melbourne Victory is not Mata’s first venture into sports ownership.

The Spaniard already holds ownership interests in Major League Soccer expansion club San Diego FC and Formula One outfit Alpine Racing. He has also invested in Mercury/13, the multi-club ownership group focused on developing women’s football globally.

These investments reflect a broader trend among modern footballers who are leveraging their experience and networks beyond their playing careers. For Melbourne Victory, securing someone with Mata’s global football knowledge, commercial experience and international connections represents an opportunity that extends well beyond the pitch.

Landmark moment for Melbourne Victory

Victory Chairman John Dovaston described Mata’s investment as a significant endorsement of both the club and the A-Leagues.

According to Dovaston, Mata is a discerning investor with stakes in elite sporting organisations worldwide, making his decision to back Melbourne Victory a strong signal of confidence in the club’s direction and the league’s future.

Managing Director Caroline Carnegie echoed those sentiments, describing the announcement as “genuinely groundbreaking” and highlighting Mata’s combination of world-class football intelligence, investor mindset and long-term commitment.

A statement beyond Melbourne

Australian football has long sought greater international credibility. Not only through marquee signings, but through meaningful long-term investment.

Mata’s decision represents something arguably more valuable than a headline player signing. By committing financially to Melbourne Victory, he is effectively betting on the future growth of both the club and the A-Leagues.

At a time when Australian football continues to pursue increased investment, stronger governance and greater global relevance, having one of the game’s most respected figures choose to become an owner may ultimately prove to be one of the competition’s most powerful endorsements.

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