The Future of Football 2020+ Recommendations Paper released today by Football Queensland (FQ) provides the state’s 183,000 participants and 317 clubs an exciting opportunity to unite behind a modern, responsive and effective vision of change for the game for the first time in 20 years.

“As described in the XI Principles, Football Australia is leading the transition to a holistic ‘One Football’ model that facilitates this essential change. Our game has not undergone reform in 20 years and while everything around it has altered, it is time now for the game to evolve too,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.

“The Future of Football 2020+ journey began with a vision to develop a new governance model and a streamlined administration model that will allow football in Queensland to flourish; one that enables affordability and consistency in the way the game is delivered across the state, with unified and connected competitions and pathways, ensuring protection and development support for those who participate in it, from players, to coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers.”

“The Recommendations Paper is built on the back of twelve months of extensive analysis and consultation with our game’s stakeholders. A number of independent reports produced by governance expert DHW Simpson framed the basis of 20 recommendations that were proposed and adopted by the FQ Board,” FQ President Ben Richardson said.

“Throughout the Future of Football 2020+ journey, the Queensland football community has clearly stated that the game needs to evolve and adapt to meet the changing landscape of sport and the growing needs of its participants.

“This is what our game deserves. Importantly, as the Future of Football 2020+ journey has so clearly confirmed, it is what the community demands of us. As the game’s temporary custodians, we must listen, we must unite, and we must move forward.”

“‘Football in Queensland United’ is more than a vision statement for Football Queensland. It is, above all else, a reflection of our drive to finally bind the entire game around a common future, with a common purpose and in common effort,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.

“It will inspire a shift away from costly, complex, restrictive and divisive administrative and governance practices and deliver a modern, responsive, efficient and effective framework through which football can truly flourish.

“Following the release of the Recommendations Paper, FQ will now embark on another series of consultation sessions with our clubs, zones and stakeholders across the state to discuss the implementation of the recommendations and how they will transform the game’s governance, administration, competitions and affordability.

“We’re confident that by working in collaboration with the football community to implement these reforms, we can build a brighter future for football in Queensland and for all who are part of our game.

“It is incumbent upon us all as stakeholders to be committed partners in progress, to align our efforts and to adopt the best-practice approaches that drive affordability and unlock new opportunities.”

Download the Future of Football 2020+ Recommendations Paper here.