Football Victoria and Football Queensland have today confirmed the return of a historic rivalry with a Battle of the States to be held on Saturday, 23 September.
A men’s and women’s side featuring the best players from across the NPL Victoria and NPL Queensland will represent their states as they go head-to-head in Melbourne.
“We’re delighted to announce the return of senior state representative football in Victoria as we host two huge Victoria vs Queensland clashes this September,” FV CEO Kimon Taliadoros said.
“This event will mark the first time Victoria’s best senior top-flight men’s players will represent the state in an official fixture since 2009, and the first time the state’s best senior top-flight women’s players will represent Victoria since the 2005 National Women’s Championships.
“Football Victoria is proud to deliver this wonderful opportunity to players across the NPL Victoria and look forward to welcoming Queensland to our state for such a significant occasion later this year.”
“Following the success of Football Queensland’s Kappa Festival of Football which saw our state’s rivalry with New South Wales reignite, we’re delighted to partner with Football Victoria to provide some of Queensland’s best male and female footballers with the opportunity to shine on the national stage as they take on Victoria in what is set to be an electric state vs state battle,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“It will be incredibly exciting to see this rivalry reborn in September, with the first matches between Queensland and Victoria played in 1932 for the men’s teams and 1974 for the women’s teams.
“After yet another entertaining NPL Queensland season, we’re thrilled to see the state vs state format return this year and look forward to working with Football Victoria to provide a platform to further elevate our state’s finest players as we work towards making the Battle of the States a regular fixture on FQ’s football calendar.”
Further information on the match venue and player selection process will be confirmed shortly.
