Football Queensland has recorded its largest representation within the Australia Under 17 National Team in over 10 years as five Queenslanders were today named in the Joeys squad to attend the upcoming ASEAN U16 Boys’ Championship 2024 to be held in Surakarta, Indonesia from 21 June – 4 July.
The selection of David Bolongi, Quinn MacNicol, Charlie Parkin, Rhys Williams and Jonty Benfield demonstrates the continued strength of the statewide FQ Academy program which is delivering a clear pathway for players from across Queensland to Australia’s national teams.
“Football Queensland is delighted to congratulate our five Queenslanders who have been announced as members of the Australia Under 17 National Team and who represent 21% of the squad in a wonderful demonstration of our state’s talent pool and pathways,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“Today’s announcement is not only significant given it features our state’s largest contingent of Joeys players in the last decade, but also brings us one step closer to achieving the objectives outlined in the 2024 – 2026 One Football Strategic Plan as we strive for 20% Queensland representation at a national level across all national teams.”
“The selection of five Queenslanders in the Joeys squad is a fantastic achievement for our state and demonstrates the strengthening of player pathways made possible through the introduction of the statewide FQ Academy program that is continuing to deliver national team opportunities for Queensland’s emerging talent,” FQ General Manager – Football & State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said.
“For a number of years it was evident that the design of the boys player pathway was not functioning as well as it could be, but following Football Queensland’s significant statewide investment in the FQ Academy program and historic integration of the junior player development system with Brisbane Roar FC, we are now starting to see the early outcomes that will help our boys player pathway reach a similar nation-leading position to that in place for Queensland’s female players.
“Three of the players selected for the ASEAN U16 Boys’ Championship 2024 will also represent Queensland at this year’s National Youth Championships (NYC), while Quinn MacNicol and Jonty Benfield represented the state at the 2022 edition of the tournament as Queensland’s Under 14 Boys were crowned NYC Champions.
“Football Queensland is proud to be providing national representative opportunities for our state’s most talented young footballers through the FQ Academy pathway and looks forward to seeing our five Queenslanders shine as they represent Australia later this month.”
Read Football Australia’s squad announcement here.
Subway Joeys Squad | ASEAN U16 Boys’ Championship 2024
| Name | Position | Current Club | Junior Club / Member Federation |
| Jai AJANOVIC | Goalkeeper | Central Coast Mariners FC | Gymea United FC / Football NSW |
| Nickolas ALFARO | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Nepean FC / Football NSW |
| Jonty BENFIELD | Goalkeeper | Melbourne City FC | Taringa Rovers FC / Football QLD |
| David BOLONGI | Attacker | Gold Coast Knights FC | Gold Coast United FC / Football QLD |
| Alex BOLTON | Midfielder | Perth Glory FC | Bayswater City FC / Football West |
| Anthony DIDULICA | Midfielder | Western United FC | St Albans Saints SC / Football VIC |
| Haine EAMES | Midfielder | Central Coast Mariners FC | Camden Haven Redbacks / Northern NSW |
| Noah ELLUL | Goalkeeper | Adelaide United FC | WT Birkalla FC / Football SA |
| Alexander GARBOWSKI | Defender | BK Häcken | Subiaco AFC / Football West |
| Jordan GRAOROSKI | Attacker | Sutherland Sharks FC | Gwawley Bay FC / Football NSW |
| Alexander HOURIDIS | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory FC | Glen Eira FC / Football VIC |
| James HOURIDIS | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory FC | Glen Eira FC / Football VIC |
| Besian KUTLESHI | Defender | Melbourne City FC | North Sunshine Eagles SC / Football VIC |
| Quinn MACNICOL | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC | Rochedale Rovers FC / Football QLD |
| Jay MALTZ | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Mongo FC / Football NSW |
| Jayden NECOVSKI | Defender | Melbourne City FC | Pascoe Vale FC / Football VIC |
| Malual NICHOLA | Defender | Adelaide United FC | Para Hills Knights SC / Football SA |
| Charlie PARKIN | Defender | Brisbane Roar FC | Grange Thistle SC / Football QLD |
| Christian PULLELLA | Defender | Perth Glory FC | Perth SC / Football West |
| Marco SANTANGELO | Defender | Sydney FC | Mounties Wanderers FC / Football NSW |
| Noah SLUNJSKI | Attacker | Hadjuk Split | Enfield Rovers SC / Football NSW |
| Amlani TATU | Attacker | Adelaide United FC | Croydon Kings FC / Football SA |
| Rhys WILLIAMS | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC | Kawana FC / Football QLD |
