More than 300 young male and female footballers showcased the talent emerging through Football Queensland’s (FQ) development pathways at two Regional Talent Support Program (TSP) Carnivals in Cairns and Rockhampton over the weekend.
Endeavour Park and Frenchville Sports Club provided the backdrops as Central Queensland, Mackay, North Queensland and Far North Queensland’s brightest 13 to 16-year-olds demonstrated the development made within their respective training environments.
FQ State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer attended Sunday’s landmark Rockhampton event and was impressed with the quality on display.
“The TSP fixtures at Frenchville Sports Club involved excellent teams from Magpies Crusaders FC and Central Queensland and also set some milestones in regional football,” Ganczer said.
“First of all, a representative junior football event returned to Central Queensland after almost a decade.
“The weekend also marked the first time that a regional Central Queensland girls squad selected from local club players performed in front of a home crowd.”
While seven sides from Central Queensland and Mackay were in action in Rockhampton, a further 10 from North Queensland and Far North Queensland took part across two busy days in Cairns.
“The TSP Carnival in Cairns was a great experience,” said Tom Laxton, FQ’s Lead Club Development Ambassador – Talent.
“We had a great showing from both regions in competitive matches. Individual talent was on show and there were some real standout performances from both the boys and girls.
“The event was well organised and the parents were well voiced in their support of the players.
“The referee team should also take great credit for the weekend. Every game I saw had a high standard of officiating. They were also well organised, educated and supported by the Junior Referee Coordinator Holly Goodchild.”
Football Queensland Central Operations Manager Kerry Gray said there was plenty to be pleased about after welcoming high-quality representative football back to the region.
“The day ran smoothly and it was fantastic to see the development of the players and competitive nature of the games,” Gray said.
“Players and spectators were respectful of the COVID-19 regulations with many of them appreciating a regional event where they were not having to travel to larger metropolitan areas.”
The next TSP events will involve regional and metro teams and are scheduled to take place in Brisbane during the September school holidays.
Imags: Ashleigh Leporati (Cairns) & Decima Bramall (Rockhampton)
