Football Queensland’s (FQ) statewide #EQUALISER survey has revealed a critical need for greater investment in football infrastructure to support the growing demands of the game in every region, attracting 6,000 responses from 92 of Queensland’s 93 electorates and illustrating the extensive engagement and growing influence of the football community across the state.
The survey was conducted in May 2024 and distributed to 250,000 participants statewide as part of FQ’s #EQUALISER State Election campaign to assess community values, opinions on government support for football, and the potential influence of football-related commitments on voter behaviour in the upcoming state election.
“Football’s significant presence in Queensland, with over 300 clubs and more than 300,000 participants, highlights the game’s vital role in our community. Despite this, however, our infrastructure is struggling to meet its current obligations and keep up with the demand experienced across all regions and demographics,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“The #EQUALISER survey results reveal a strong consensus within our football community that investment disparities are hindering the development of essential football infrastructure, with 74% of respondents believing that football is not receiving its fair share of government funding compared to other sports.
“Football, as Queensland’s most popular team sport, was also found to wield considerable influence beyond the field, with 76% of respondents believing that political investments in their local football club would be likely or very likely to influence their voting decisions in the upcoming state election, demonstrating not only football’s potential to impact electoral outcomes but also the broader societal benefits the game offers.”
The survey results highlight an overwhelmingly strong agreement among respondents regarding the link between improved sports facilities and community wellbeing, with 90% of respondents identifying access to sporting facilities – particularly in the evenings – as a key contributor to reducing youth crime, demonstrating a recognition of sports facilities not only as recreational spaces but as vital community assets that contribute to social stability and vitality.
“Over 69% of the football community surveyed view investment in community sports infrastructure as the highest priority for bringing the community together, reinforcing the idea that football is more than just a game – it’s a crucial element of Queensland’s social fabric,” Cavallucci said.
“These survey results clearly demonstrate that investment in football facilities to enhance the capacity and capability of our clubs across the state aligns closely with public sentiment and has significant potential to translate into greater political support as our football community votes with their feet ahead of the October state election.
“In line with the sentiment of the Queensland football community and acknowledging the gaps in the state’s community football infrastructure ecosystem, we urge all elected representatives and candidates to answer the call of their communities ahead of the October state election and prioritise infrastructure investments that will ultimately benefit the game, our participants and the wider community.”
