The McDonald’s Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) 3 Sunshine Coast Men’s and Women’s leagues are set to kick off this weekend.
Established as part of the Future of Football 2020+ reforms, the FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast leagues sit within the SEQ Conference, which underpins the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland through a system of promotion and relegation.
The newly structured leagues replace the McDonald’s Sunshine Coast Premier League competitions, which in 2021 saw Nambour Yandina United claim the Premiership title and Kawana FC win the Grand Final in the Men’s competition.
Meanwhile, Beerwah Glasshouse United claimed the Premiership title and Nambour Yandina United secured the Grand Final win in the Women’s league in 2021.
McDonald’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Men’s
In 2022, the nine teams competing in the McDonald’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Men’s league include Beerwah Glasshouse United, Caloundra FC, Coolum FC, Gympie United, Kawana FC, Maroochydore Swans FC, Nambour Yandina United, Noosa Lions and Woombye Snakes.
During the 2021 season of the McDonald’s Sunshine Coast Premier League, Nambour Yandina United showcased their talents as they recorded 15 wins across 18 matches before going on to win the Premiership title for the first time in the club’s history. The team will look to defend their title as they face other strong competitors this season.
Maroochydore Swans FC return this year with new coach Warren Crickmore as well as an array of new players. After placing in the lower third of the table in 2021, the team will be keen to improve upon last season’s results.
Another team that could make an impact is Kawana FC, which had a recent influx of younger players who will aim to make their mark in the first team. The team performed well last season to secure the Grand Final win and will strive to continue this winning form in 2022.
Other key teams include Gympie United, Caloundra FC and Noosa Lions, who could potentially cause major upsets this season.
The first round of the McDonald’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Men’s competition will kick off this Saturday with Caloundra FC taking on Beerwah Glasshouse United, Coolum FC playing Nambour Yandina United, Maroochydore Swans versing Kawana FC, Woombye Snakes going head-to-head with Gympie United, while Noosa Lions will have a bye.
McDonald’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Women’s
In 2022, the seven teams competing in the McDonald’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Women’s league include Beerwah Glasshouse United, Caloundra FC, Gympie United, Maroochydore Swans FC, Nambour Yandina United, Sunshine Coast FC and the new addition of Woombye Snakes.
In the 2021 season of the Premier League, Beerwah Glasshouse United showcased their dominance as they recorded 14 wins and just three losses. Similarly, Grand Final winners Nambour Yandina United displayed their grit by winning 13 matches and only recording four losses. It will be a worthy watch when these two teams meet in Round 7.
After a year away from the senior league, Woombye Snakes return this season with a squad of strong and experienced players, which places the team as a key contender.
Caloundra FC, Gympie United, Maroochydore Swans FC and Sunshine Coast FC, meanwhile, all have strong squads capable of showcasing winning forms.
The first round of the McDonald’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Women’s league will kick off this Friday, with Caloundra FC taking on title defenders Beerwah Glasshouse United, Nambour Yandina United going head-to-head with Maroochydore Swans FC, Woombye Snakes playing Gympie United, while Sunshine Coast FC will have a bye.