Last Friday, Football Queensland (FQ) released their 2020-2022 Strategic Plan for football in Queensland.
FQ claims their vision is to unite football in Queensland, focusing on an improved pathway structure for the game in the state.
The governing body have identified four key strategic pillars for the next three years.
They are participation, infrastructure, clubs and community, and leadership and people.
Participation: The main targets in this pillar are to improve participation numbers across the board. By 2022, FQ hope to have 90,000 registered players. This would be an increase of 20,000 players on current numbers.
The governing body hopes to have 3,000 more coaches registered by 2022, lifting the number of coaches in the state to 8,820.
With the continued rise of women’s football in Australia, FQ wants to capitalise on this by trying to attract 7,500 more women and girls to play football by 2022.
Finally, referees are also targeted in the plan, as FQ hopes to double the number of registered referees by 2022. This would result in 2,200 referees registered in the next three years.
Infrastructure: FQ want to clearly identify the required amount of state-wide facilities necessary to keep up with the increased demand (especially because of rapid growth in the women and girls’ sector). While quantity is important, that should not compromise the quality of the facilities.
FQ hope to have productive interactions with the State Government, to secure appropriate funding to improve the health of the game in Queensland.
Other plans include creating a home for football in Queensland, as well as researching the feasibility of a 20,000-seat football stadium to improve the professional side of the game.
Establishing centres of excellence around the state will be considered, with a large focus also on all football facilities being female friendly.
Clubs and Community: FQ will introduce a new shared services model for clubs across the state. This will help with the administration side of football, giving the clubs and community support in the areas of finance, marketing, referees and competitions.
The implementation of the National Club Development program and Academy Star Ratings, will further improve clubs as they strive to reach higher standards. Minimum standards will also be in place across the various levels of football in Queensland.
Coaches, referees and administrators will be not be left behind, as they will be provided with substantial education and development opportunities.
Talent pathways which are accessible for all are promised in the devised plan, including the implementation of Indigenous, culturally diverse and all abilities programs.
Leadership and People: FQ will conduct a review into the governance of football in Queensland. They will look to improve and tweak the administration model in the best interests of the game.
Strategies will be introduced to focus on improving the recruitment of volunteers, as well as retaining them and rewarding them adequately. These volunteers will be led and supported at all levels, on the back of improved governance practices and policies.
The governing body wants to enhance Football Queensland’s brand presence, whilst also investigating options and support for additional A-League/W-League teams.
FQ will assess their success in this category, in a variety of ways. This includes a hopeful increase in diversity among leadership positions within Football Queensland. Other factors measured include a Net Promoter Index Score, which will be decided by a survey completed by all participants and stakeholders.
FQ’s strategic pillars are followed by five areas of focus that are followed in everything they set out to do.
These five areas are:
Connected competitions – Creating pathways for players and clubs
Women and girls are the future – Making the most out of the potential of women in football
Transparency and accountability – Open and honest and taking responsibility
Love the game – Give others the chance to experience the same
Accessibility for all – Equal opportunities for all players, coaches and so on
You can access Football Queensland’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan here:
