Ahead of the release of Football Queensland (FQ)’s Statewide Facilities Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021, FQ has engaged the services of Phil Reeves and David O’Leary from Community Sports Management as infrastructure and government relations consultants.

The Statewide Facilities Strategic Plan is an FQ initiative designed to identify and prioritise football facility needs across the state and improve the quality of decision-making regarding future facilities funding.

Consultation with football clubs, zones, local councils and government authorities for the development of the plan began in August last year, with extensive work across the state already undertaken as part of the audit phase.

Reeves served as Member for Mansfield for 14 years from 1998 and was the state government’s Minister for Sport and Minister for Child Safety between 2009 – 2012.

O’Leary is a former facilities and infrastructure manager at AFL Queensland, who also worked for the Department of Sport and Recreation for 20 years. He has an extensive background in football as both a player and administrator and was Ipswich Knights’ first life member.

Reeves and O’Leary will work with clubs and zones across Queensland, liaise with government authorities and identify grant and funding opportunities.

“With the expertise of Community Sports Management, we can now coordinate a more strategic approach to funding to deliver better outcomes for football where it’s needed most,” FQ Chief Executive Officer Richard Griffiths said.

“Having Phil and David on board demonstrates FQ’s commitment to utilising the key findings and recommendations from the consultation process moving forward.

“This whole process has improved the quality of evidence-based decision making in football and ensures we are catering for continued growth in participation across the state.”

The Statewide Facilities Strategic Plan, which will include the key findings and recommendations from the consultation process, will be released in late June.

For more information and regular updates, visit the Statewide Facilities Strategic Plan page.