Football Queensland (FQ) has released its 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy that delivers a clear and comprehensive plan to foster the growth of the game by delivering accessible and inclusive opportunities for all Queenslanders to get involved in football. 

The release of the 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy follows the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and aims to build on the tournament’s momentum to champion a lasting legacy for the future generation by embracing the potential for women and girls in the game.

“We are excited to release the 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy which outlines an innovative vision to support the development of the game in our state on the way to making it the game of choice, for all, for life,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.  

“Following a huge 2023 that included a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on our shores, this strategy was designed to meet the soaring demand for football by ensuring that every current or aspiring player, coach and referee has equal access to high-quality opportunities, programs and education.

“Football Queensland believes that women and girls are the future, and so our vision is to become the most accessible sport in Australia and to nurture the next generation by developing the right pathways, providing the right resources and building the right infrastructure for them.

“We are determined to grow and support all women and girls in our game by prioritising the expansion of our Girls United and Q-League programs as well as the development of our recruitment and retention plans to reflect FQ’s goal of 50/50 gender parity in participation by 2027.”

The Game Development Strategy has been developed to reinforce Football Queensland’s 2023-2026 One Football Strategic Plan, by building conducive key targets across three pillars; Recruitment & Opportunity, Delivery & Experience and Retention & Transition.

FQ’s mission towards access and gender equity is reflected in the plan’s objectives through the delivery of an Indigenous and All Abilities strategy, as well as a statewide increase in registered social, club and female football participants.

“The Game Development Strategy aims to break the ‘status quo’ by building innovative attraction, retention and transition strategies that support statewide development of creative and accessible programs to ensure everyone can get and stay involved in football for life,” General Manager – Strategic Game Development & Referees Andy Allan said.

“Over the next two years FQ will focus on four key principles that include increasing player engagement through dynamic experience delivery, designing CALD inclusive programs to embrace diverse audiences, building sustainable programs that support long-term excellence, and unifying our workforce through shared experiences regardless of age, background or skill level.

“The strategy will work towards creating well-articulated pathways to build a community where our players, referees and coaches all feel valued and supported and share a cohesive vision as a workforce collective to grow the game no matter their location.

“Football Queensland is excited to work with the football community statewide as we strive to deliver on the targets set out in the 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy and provide the best programs and experiences in the country.”

Download Football Queensland’s 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy here.