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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The PFA have announced a new partnership with La Trobe University

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Image credit: PxHere

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has announced a new industry partnership with La Trobe University as their official Education Partner for the next four years.

This collaboration highlights La Trobe’s ongoing commitment to giving students valuable opportunities to connect with the sports industry and gain hands-on learning experiences.

Throughout the alliance, La Trobe and the PFA will collaborate on important research and consulting projects.

They’ll also offer a jointly funded PhD scholarship focused on research that supports the well-being and development of professional footballers.

Each year, the PFA will host three La Trobe students for work placements across different areas of sport, giving them the chance to gain real-world experience within the organisation.

La Trobe will also work with the PFA to create a specialised education program tailored to football, and the PFA will have access to La Trobe’s top-tier sport and exercise science research facilities at the La Trobe Sports Park.

On top of that, PFA members who choose to study at La Trobe will be supported through the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program (LEAP), which helps athletes balance their studies with their playing careers.

This includes flexible and online learning options, plus a new scholarship program for selected players.

Chief Executive of Professional Footballers Australia, Beau Busch, said the opportunity to partner with La Trobe would further enhance its ability to support the holistic development of players and further elevate its research capacity.

“La Trobe University provides world class education and learning, research programs and sporting facilities,” Busch said via press release.

“The partnership will ensure that players have access to flexible professional development opportunities, quality sporting infrastructure when undertaking their coaching qualifications, whilst their careers will be further advanced through a comprehensive research commitment.

“We also see our partnership with La Trobe centred on sharing our institutional knowledge with students to help them develop their educational experience and professional networks within the sporting industry.”

La Trobe Pro Vice-Chancellor for Health Innovation and Dean of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, Professor Russell Hoye, said the formation of the partnership with the PFA underlined La Trobe’s commitment to providing outstanding student employability outcomes within the sport industry.

“This partnership with the PFA will provide our students with access to unique work-integrated learning opportunities within an organisation that supports professional footballers with health, education and professional development,” Professor Hoye said via press release.

“La Trobe also looks forward to assisting professional footballers to undertake higher education studies across our suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.”

By combining academic expertise with the practical needs of athletes, this collaboration aims to support players both on and off the pitch, fostering a more sustainable and educated future for the game.

FCA Coaching Workshop: The 2v1 Advantage with Dr Ron Smith

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Image Credit: Football Coaches Australia Facebook

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) is proud to present The Advantages of Creating 2v1s in the Modern Game — a dynamic, hands-on coaching workshop led by Dr Ron Smith.

The session took place on Saturday, at the Home of the Matildas & Victorian State Football Centre.

With the continued support of Football Australia, this session contributes 1 CPD hour towards coach reaccreditation — an excellent opportunity to grow your knowledge and keep your qualifications up to date.

Dr Ron Smith, often referred to as the godfather of coaching in Australian football, brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to the field. His résumé includes roles as Technical Director at Football Australia and various Member Federations, Head Coach at the AIS, Assistant Coach and Analyst for the Socceroos, and coaching stints in Iceland, Malaysia, and Perth Glory. A true student of the game, Ron also holds a doctorate in how goals are scored.

This workshop offered a rare chance to learn from Ron “Smudger” Smith in a practical, pitch-side setting. His generous approach to coach education makes this session a must-attend event for anyone looking to deepen their tactical understanding.

The Advantages of Creating 2 v 1’s in the Modern Game:
Smith’s workshop consisted of three engaging 30–35 minute sessions, featuring Football Victoria Academy players in a 9v9 plus goalkeeper format. The sessions focused on:
  • When and how to create a 2v1 situation
  • How positioning influences decision-making and improves performance
  • How to use available space in the final third

These learnings are designed to provide coaches with actionable strategies applicable across both community and professional environments.

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