Overview of Football Queensland’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan

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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:

 

 

 

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FQ Reinstates WinterFest 2026 at the Sunshine Coast

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Image Credit: Football Queensland

Football Queensland (FQ) has confirmed WinterFest, the state’s premier junior football carnival, will return to the Sunshine Coast from 1 to 5 July 2026; this time at a new home in the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

Delivered in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast, the five-day carnival will span USC and Sunshine Coast Wanderers FC, hosting Under 9 to Under 11 Boys and Under 11 Girls teams from every corner of the state.

WinterFest is not simply a competition. Within FQ’s development framework, the carnival serves a dual function, to expose elite junior players to FQ Technical staff, whilst providing emerging referees with live matchday experience under the guidance of senior officials.

“The carnival plays an important role in nurturing not only our most promising young players, who can showcase their abilities in front of FQ Technical staff who continue to monitor their ongoing development, but also our cohort of emerging referees from across Queensland,” said Ryan Fett, FQ General Manager- Football, Infrastructure & Club Development.

The shift to USC is deliberate. FQ has signalled an intention to elevate the event experience year-on-year, and a university campus venue, with its infrastructure and capacity, reflects that ambition more than a traditional football ground would.

Beyond the Pitch

The tournament’s footprint, however, extends well beyond the pitch. With thousands of visiting families descending on the region across five days, WinterFest functions as a significant economic activation for the Sunshine Coast during what is otherwise a quieter winter period.

“WinterFest brings enormous energy to the region, the USC and Buderim fields will be buzzing and the talent on show outstanding,” said Sunshine Coast Resilient Economy Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg.

The language- “Resilient Economy”- is worth noting. Landsberg’s portfolio title alone signals how local government now frames junior sport: not as community goodwill, but as economic infrastructure.

His reference to Brisbane 2032 made that explicit. “As we move closer to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these experiences are invaluable for aspiring athletes and equally important for boosting local tourism and supporting our businesses during the winter period.”

Whether a regional Under 11 carnival genuinely feeds an Olympic pipeline is debatable. What isn’t is that the political incentive to frame it that way, with 2032 drawing every level of government into the orbit of sport, is very real.

Football NSW partners with Deploy for Association Championships

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Image credit: Deploy Football

In an announcement released on Thursday this week, Football NSW revealed Deploy as the Naming Rights Partner of the Football NSW Association Championships.

New competition, new talents

The Association Championships, set to take place in July 2026 at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, will replace the former Association Youth League.

Although the tournament has changed name, its purpose remains consistent: giving youth players the platform to showcase their talent on the football pitch.

In a display of unity and collective ambition, 18 Associations across New South Wales will enter representative teams, each one featuring gifted grassroots players looking to prove themselves against their peers.

“The Deploy FNSW Association Championships will provide a fantastic platform for our Associations to come together and celebrate the best of elite community football,” said Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas via official press release.

“This tournament is all about giving young players, coaches, and referees from every corner of the state a chance to shine and develop in a competitive, supportive environment.”

The partnership between Deploy and Football NSW, therefore, is not merely about a name alteration. It is a collaboration which presents future grassroots talents with a platform and opportunity to compete.

 

Built on shared values

No partnership can succeed without both parties sharing a common goal or set of values. In this case, the alliance between Football NSW and Deploy is built on a commitment to supporting grassroots football and supplying players with quality resources and experiences to showcase their talent.

“Deploy is proud to partner with Football NSW as the Naming Rights Partner of the Association Championships. Community sport plays a vital role in bringing people together and building future leaders, both on and off the field,” explained Chief Commercial Officer at Deploy, Kurt Johnson.

“As long-time partners with Football NSW, this aligns perfectly with our strategy of creating balls designed for each age and skill level of the game, ranging from junior training balls to professional match balls perfect for the competitive environment like the Association Championships.”

Furthermore, with hundreds of participants including players, referees, coaches and supporters due to attend the tournament, the partnership’s impact will extend right across the state of New South Wales.

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