Football Queensland (FQ) has finalised the formats for the second stage of the 2020 season for all U13 to U20 NPL Queensland and Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) competitions.
As announced in June, each competition will move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 following the completion of the current full cycle of fixtures.
The number of fixtures each team plays during Phase 2 depends upon the number of teams in each competition and the finish date of Phase 1.
FQ has engaged with clubs and assessed all feedback and variables to determine and implement Phase 2 structures which deliver the most appropriate like-v-like and best-v-best outcomes for all players while acknowledging individual club circumstances.
“The response from clubs has been terrific and we thank them for collaborating with Football Queensland as we confirm a path forward that takes into account their respective situations,” FQ Participation, Clubs and Community Manager Dan Birrell confirmed.
“Our shared focus throughout the process has been to confirm viable structures that facilitate player and referee availability while maximising venue usage and revenue opportunities.
“While we are also working through optimal models for next season, our primary focus at this point is to lock in the preliminary Phase 2 draws that have been drafted and to successfully navigate the remainder of the 2020 season.”
NPL Male U16/U15/U14/U13 (Academy & Development)
There are three rounds remaining in Phase 1 for Academy competitions, while there is one round remaining in Phase 1 for Development competitions.
Each competition is to split at the conclusion of Phase 1 according to the clubs’ average ladder points overall.
To establish this average, the points total of each club’s teams (U13 points + U14 points + U15 points + U16 points) will be divided by their number of teams in those competitions.
Teams will then be sorted accordingly within their U13 to U16 competitions.
Academy competitions will split into three brackets, with a top four, a middle four and a bottom six. Each team in the top bracket will play each other once (total three games). Each team in the middle bracket will play each other once (total three games). Each team in the bottom bracket will play three of the other five teams in the bottom bracket (total three games).
Phase 2 for Academy competitions commences the weekend of 23-25 October.
Development competitions will split into a top and bottom six, with each team to play every other team in their half once (total five games).
Phase 2 for Development competitions commences the weekend of 9-11 October.
NPL Female U18/U15/U13
There is one round remaining in Phase 1 for all competitions.
Each competition is to split according to the clubs’ average ladder points overall.
To establish this average, the points total of each club’s teams (U13 points + U15 points + U18 points) will be divided by their number of teams in those competitions.
Each competition will split into a top and bottom six, with each team to play every other team in their half once (total five games).
Phase 2 for all competitions commences the weekend of 9-11 October.
NPL & FQPL Male U20/U18
Currently scheduled fixtures for all competitions will conclude on the weekend of 9-11 October.
Each competition will then run in alignment with the First Grade NPL Men’s or First Grade FQPL fixture for five games.
For example, if Team A is facing Team B in a First Grade NPL Men’s match, their respective U20 and U18 sides will face each other beforehand at the same venue.
This reinforces the intention for U20 and U18 teams to compete in supplementary competitions which provide a pathway into the First Grade NPL and First Grade FQPL competitions.
The last of these five games will be held on the weekend of 6-8 November.
