Football Queensland’s female programs boosted by new appointments

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Football Queensland has taken excellent strides for the growth of football for the women’s game, with the additions of a former Matilda and an NPL Championship-winning coach. The two new roles have been created to oversee the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and Female High Performance programs.

Bryony Duus, who represented Australia at the 2000 Olympic Games and the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will take on the role as FQ/QAS High Performance Operations Officer.

David Da Silva, who led the QAS/Brisbane Roar team to the NPL Women’s Championship in 2019, has been appointed QAS Director of Football.

“Bryony and David are both proud Queenslanders who have come through the Football Queensland player and coaching pathway,” FQ State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said.

“Bryony was part of the first intake of the QAS women’s football program in 1992, so she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will no doubt benefit the next generation of female footballers.

“David is a highly regarded coach who helped identify and nurture A-League Women and national team players such as Jamilla Rankin, Indiah Paige-Riley, Holly McQueen, Anna Margraf and Hollie Palmer.

“As these players have demonstrated over the past three years, Football Queensland’s QAS program is an important pathway to A-League Women and national teams.

“I know David and Bryony are looking forward to working with Brisbane Roar Women’s Head Coach Garrath McPherson to ensure that the production line of Queensland talent continues.”

Football Queensland President Ben Richardson outlined Duus and Da Silva will play a critical role in developing the next generation of A-League Women and Matildas.

“Bryony and David are two of the best practitioners in Queensland with a deep understanding of the women’s game,” Richardson said.

“With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, we are investing in the QAS program to give young Queensland players the best chance to represent their country.

“Over the past three decades, the QAS women’s football program has led the way for the rest of the country, developing one-third of the Matildas since 1992.

“The creation of these two new roles and recruitment of Bryony and David will ensure that the QAS remains the pinnacle women’s football program.”

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Central Coast Mariners Women secure future under Holman Barnes Group

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Image Credits: Central Coast Mariners

The future of the Central Coast Mariners Women has been secured after the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) reached an agreement to become the new operator of the club’s A-League Women program. The deal ends uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the 2026/27 season.

The agreement between HBG, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) ensures the Mariners will remain in the Ninja A-League Women competition. It also introduces a new operating model designed to provide long-term stability.

The uncertainty emerged following TSG’s acquisition of the Central Coast Mariners’ men’s side and academy in June. The women’s program was excluded from the original takeover. TSG already owns English football side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and MLS club Los Angeles FC. The omission placed the future of the 2025 A-League Women champions in doubt. It also prompted the APL to seek a sustainable solution ahead of the new campaign.

A new operating model

Under the new arrangement, HBG will oversee all operational aspects of the women’s team. This includes the football program, staffing and day-to-day management. TSG will retain the club licence and continue overseeing the men’s program and academy. It will also support the women’s operation through its broader football network.

The agreement represents an innovative partnership between the three organisations. It has been designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of professional women’s football on the Central Coast. HBG’s plans extend beyond the senior team. They include a strong focus on developing participation pathways and creating greater opportunities for female footballers throughout New South Wales.

Attention turns to the new season

The transition comes at a crucial time with preparations for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season underway ahead of its October 16 start. The new operators are expected to begin managing the program immediately. This remains subject to the completion of the remaining regulatory processes. The team currently has no sponsors and games are expected to be moved away from Central Coast Stadium.

The A-League had previously set a July 31 deadline for new owners to be found to secure a place in the upcoming competition. With that now achieved, HBG will be on the clock to ensure the season begins without disruption and becomes a commercial success.

For the Central Coast Mariners Women, the agreement delivers certainty after a turbulent off-season. It also allows the club to shift its attention to the 2026/27 campaign and the team’s on-field performance.

Boroondara Eagles Secure Landmark Victory as Macleay Park Set to Become NPLW Home

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Image Credits: Boroondara Eagles

A long-awaited breakthrough for the Boroondara Eagles Football Club has brought the vision of a permanent home for women’s football one step closer, with Boroondara City Council endorsing plans for an NPLW-compliant pitch at Macleay Park.

For the Eagles, the ambition to provide women with deserving facilities took a significant step forward this week after the Boroondara City Council committed to upgrading the pitch as part of the Macleay Park Masterplan.

This masterplan involved new sports lights on Macleay Park Oval 3 but failed to see any further development to the soccer facilities or the Boroondara Eagles until Monday night.

The decision marks a defining moment in the club’s history and provides a platform for sustained growth, particularly for its thriving women’s and girls’ football programs.

While the resolution represents an important planning milestone, its significance extends well beyond the construction of a new playing surface. It signals a commitment to ensuring female footballers have access to facilities capable of supporting elite development pathways while remaining connected to their local community.

Purpose-built facilities remain one of the biggest challenges facing women’s football across Australia. As participation continues to surge, many clubs have outgrown venues originally designed around significantly smaller player bases.

For a club that has experienced rapid growth in recent years, the announcement provides the opportunity to establish a permanent home capable of meeting the demands of National Premier Leagues Women’s football.

The investment also reflects a broader shift within local government and football stakeholders towards recognising the infrastructure required to support the continued growth of the women’s game.

The Council’s decision was underpinned by strong community support, with players, families, coaches, volunteers and supporters filling the Council Chamber in a powerful display of unity.

The overwhelming attendance demonstrated the depth of connection between the club and the local community, highlighting how football facilities can become important social and sporting assets beyond matchday.

Although the inclusion of the NPLW-compliant pitch within the Macleay Park Masterplan represents a significant victory, the project remains at the beginning of its journey.

Funding, planning and delivery will now become the focus as the Boroondara Eagles works alongside Council, partners and the wider community to bring the Macleay Masterplan to life.

The club has already called on local businesses, sponsors and community members to become involved in the next phase, recognising that delivering modern sporting infrastructure is a collaborative effort.

Should the project progress as envisioned, Macleay Park has the potential to become more than simply the club’s home ground. It could emerge as a center point for women’s football in the local Boroondara community, supporting participation, talent development and community engagement for years to come.

For the Boroondara Eagles, the Council resolution is not the destination—it is the foundation upon which the club can build its next chapter.

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