Football Queensland (FQ) is shining a spotlight on the Darling Downs region as South Burnett Futsal becomes an FQ affiliated member, a partnership which is set to bring new opportunities to players in the area. 

South Burnett Futsal President, Tracey Clegg, spoke to FQ on the club’s excitement around becoming FQ affiliated, as well as the wide range of competitions, programs and participation benefits they will gain access to, from grassroots through to the elite levels of futsal. 

“We’ve never had anything like this out here in South Burnett, so we’re hoping that our coaches can improve, our players can improve, because that’s what it’s all about, improving our kids,” Clegg said. 

Through this investment into the regional futsal space, Football Queensland will assist in growing the game and providing greater connectivity to the rest of the state. 

“FQ is so well known out here with the outdoor game, so we’re hoping now that we’re affiliated through futsal, we’re going to get more players,” Clegg said. 

“Parents know FQ, they don’t know the other futsal associations, but everyone knows the FQ brand so we’re hoping apart from offering pathways for our players and coaches, that FQ will help grow our numbers in both juniors and seniors.”  

Clegg said she is most excited about the opportunities that their FQ affiliation will create for the club’s players, such as state tournaments like the Futsal State Titles. 

“We have some senior men here that just want to go play in a comp, just to see how they go, and you know just being affiliated with FQ our kids are going to get that chance; there’s already talk of holiday programs out here to help us improve our kids,” Clegg said. 

The ability to offer players a chance to progress along the pathways within futsal and to see their growth and become a stronger club are perks Clegg is pleased to offer her community. 

“In the past we’ve never really been able to offer more than a kick around, probably for the last 6 or 7 years, and well, we’ve got that opportunity now, we can offer that to those kids who want to take their futsal to that next level,” Clegg said.