Football Queensland (FQ) celebrated significant achievements in youth and junior player development in the Far North and Gulf (FNG) region in 2024 as the FQ Academy continued to solidify its position as the premier pathway for nurturing football talent in the region.
“Football in the Far North and Gulf is flourishing, with more promising young athletes than ever before gaining access to top-tier coaching and competitive opportunities through the FQ Academy, driving a surge in participation and engagement from both players and clubs, and fuelling a growing enthusiasm for the game across the region,” Club Development Ambassador – Far North & Gulf (Cairns) Jack Southwell said.
“This year, the region has experienced a 350% increase in the number of players involved in the FQ Academy, with over 220 players—both male and female—joining the program. This surge in participation speaks to the increasing recognition of young players in the quality of development provided by the FQ Academy to help them reach their full potential.
“One of the standout achievements of the 2024 season was the selection of 27 local players from the FNG region to represent Queensland at the National Youth Championships, showcasing the FQ Academy pathway’s excellence in elite coaching, specialised development, and competitive opportunities. This alignment with national technical standards not only highlights the growing strength of the FQ Academy but also continues to open doors for local talent to reach the highest levels of the game.
“Building on the success of 2024, Football Queensland will continue to strengthen local coaching expertise and enhance player development across the Far North and Gulf region in 2025, creating a sustainable and advanced football ecosystem for players, coaches, and clubs to thrive.”
Football Queensland remains committed to providing pathways for all players, coaches and clubs to achieve their goals, with the FQ Academy at the forefront of this development and looks forward to another successful season in 2025 and to continuing our support of football in the Far North and Gulf region and beyond.
