Football Queensland (FQ) is celebrating remarkable progress in club and coach development in the Far North and Gulf (FNG) region, with key milestones marking 2024 as a year of growth and achievement.
“This year, Football Queensland has made tremendous strides in coach education within the Far North and Gulf region, with a 400% increase in the number of courses offered and an 800% surge in coach course participation, representing a significant leap forward in building a sustainable and advanced coaching foundation for the future of football in the region,” FQ General Manager – Football and State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said.
“A standout feature of this year’s development efforts was the introduction of female-only coaching courses, a first for the region, which saw 29 female coaches in attendance, further highlighting the growing appeal and the increasing accessibility for women in coaching within the region.
“Delivering courses specifically designed for female participants forms part of FQ’s broader commitment to inclusivity and diversity, as outlined in our 2023-2026 One Football Strategy, as we continue striving to reach our 50/50 gender parity target by 2027 by supporting and catering for women and girls across all roles in football.”
“The expansion of coach education remains a top priority for Football Queensland, particularly in the Far North and Gulf region, where building local capacity is essential for the long-term development of both players and coaches, ensuring a clear pathway within the FQ Academy for local talent to advance to higher levels of competition, including state and national representation,” FQ Senior Manager – Technical (Northern Conference) Michael Edwards said.
“The revision of course structures by Football Australia have greatly improved the relevance of coaching courses for community coaches in the Far North and Gulf region, providing them with the tools needed to better support player development.
“With rising interest in coaching education, FQ is set to offer more advanced coaching diplomas in FNG, including the AFC/FQ B Diploma in 2025, as we continue to work to further advance our coaching pathways and opportunities in the region.
“The growth of the FNG region’s football ecosystem in 2024 is also reflected in the rising commitment of local clubs to invest in their professional development, with Cairns based Southside Comets FC making history by becoming one of the first four regional clubs to achieve Tier 2 club development status. This milestone reflects a strong commitment to not only improving coaching practices but also expanding their club’s access to the FQ Academy pathway.”
Football Queensland remains committed to providing pathways for all players, coaches and clubs, 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.
