The FQPL 3 South Coast competition has had a reshuffle as we enter the 2022 season. With back to back Premiership winners Surfers Paradise departing and Tallebudgera Valley entering the competition, a big year ahead is expected down on the Gold Coast. The introduction of the FQPL 3 Women’s competition will create some buzz as well as they move to a Monday night timeslot. Here is what we can expect to see in both competitions.
FQPL 3 South Coast Men’s
The departure of Surfers Paradise Apollo leaves a gap at the top of the table with plenty of teams eager to earn their spot in the FQPL 2 Promotion Play-Offs this year. Palm Beach and Broadbeach have been heavily favoured across most circles with new signings in both the sky blue and yellow destined to make an immediate impact.
Having finished second last season, Nerang are set for a tough year with the departure of almost every senior player and coaching staff. Split across Coomera in the FQPL 2 and local side Robina City, it will be a tough year for the Eagles. Robina City on the other hand will be looking to get back to being competitive after their woes in 2021 under newly appointed coach Lee Vernon.
After winning the Grand Final last year Steve McDonald will have a winning mindset to work with despite the loss of key players through his squad. With forwards Morgan Saunders and Ferdinand Annor departing the Warriors will be looking for goals in the front third to help their defensively sound record.
Kingscliff will be excited to be back on the field having their 2021 season cut short due to border closures. Some new fresh faces will be seen at the Wolves this year and will be looking to make an impact.
Tallebudgera Valley come into the FQPL 3 after winning the double last season. Having made the biggest off-season move in the competition with the signing of Nic Panetta, the Tigers will be hoping to get productivity from their front third to win games.
Musgrave, Runaway Bay and Burleigh will be hoping to build off last season as they enter the 2022 campaign. New signings on all three sides will be looking to make inroads and catapult the sides into the top half of the competition which is expected to be tightly contested.
FQPL 3 South Coast Women’s
A new era for female football begins this coming Monday on the Gold Coast with the introduction of the FQPL 3 Women’s. A re-branded league with seven teams, the competition is set to be a bridge towards promotion into the FQPL 2 and beyond for clubs willing.
Having won the corresponding competition last year, Musgrave will be looking to back up their year by taking out the title again in 2022. They will face stiff opposition from Magic who are expected to make a good run with a core group of young girls who won the second tier competition last year.
Winning the Grand Final last season will give Palm Beach a ton of confidence coming into this season. The Sharks have had a rich history of developing female footballers and will be hoping to jag the next big talent in their pursuit of the title.
Despite fielding teams in FQPL 2 Women’s, Robina and Broadbeach will both look to have a presence in the local competition this year. Successful women’s programs for a number of years should have the two sides ready to compete at a high level for the duration of the campaign.
Kingscliff and Mudgeeraba are the unknowns heading into this season with changes across both set ups. With two new coaches on board in Gary French and Stuart Scrivens the clubs will be looking to make their mark on the expected heavyweights throughout the season.
