The inaugural season of the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) Whitsunday Coast league kicks off this weekend, with six teams across both the Men’s and Women’s competitions vying for the top spots.
The newly structured FQPL Whitsunday Coast competition replaces the Mackay Premier League, which in 2021 had Magpies FC claim the Premiership for the Men’s competition while the Mackay Lions claimed the top spot in the Women’s league.
Established in 2022 as part of the Future of Football 2020+ reforms, the leagues sit within the Northern Conference and include clubs across Mackay and the Whitsunday regions.
FQPL Men’s
In 2022, the six teams in the FQPL Whitsunday Coast Men’s league include City Brothers, Mackay Lions, Mackay Wanderers, Magpies Crusaders, Magpies FC and Whitsunday United.
During the 2021 season of the Mackay Premier League, Magpies FC were the team to beat as they recorded 14 wins and just one loss. Crowned Premiers with 44 points, the Magpies’ talisman Rian Thompson was a major reason for their overall success scoring 22 goals in 19 games.
Some other key players include Mackay Lions’ Jacob Pace-Ruggeri who claimed the top spot in the Golden Boot race with 26 goals in 20 games while Jayden Conner from City Brothers also racked up 15 goals in 13 games.
The first round, which kicks off this Saturday, will see Mackay Lions take on Magpies FC, Mackay Wanderers will play City Brothers while Whitsunday United will go head-to-head with the Magpies Crusaders.
View FQPL Whitsunday Coast Men’s fixtures here.
FQPL Women’s
The FQPL Whitsunday Women’s league will see City Brothers, Country United, Mackay Lions, Mackay Rangers, Magpies FC and Whitsunday United battle it out for the top spot.
In the 2021 season of the Mackay Premier Women’s League, Mackay Lions were undefeated in claiming the Premiership and Grand Final double.
Both Molly Higgins and Hannah Giannangelo from Mackay Lions were top contenders in the Golden Boot race with each earning 22 and 12 goals respectively. Meanwhile Rhiannon Heisrath from Magpies FC also scored 15 goals in 15 games earning her second place in the race.
The season opener taking place this Friday will have Mackay Lions take on Magpies FC, followed by Country United battling City Brothers, while Whitsunday United face Mackay Rangers on Saturday.
Last weekend, the region also had the opening round of the Whitsunday Coast Kappa Women’s Super Cup qualifiers take place with Magpies FC beating City Brothers in a grueling 5-0 win while Country United knocked out reigning Premiers Mackay Lions in a 5-3 win.
Magpies FC and Country United will now face each other next in the Whitsunday Coast decider.
View FQPL Whitsunday Coast Women’s fixtures here.
Follow all the action from the FQPL Whitsunday Coast on the FQ Whitsunday Coast Facebook and Instagram.
