Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Da Silva and Matt Poole, two of Queensland’s most accomplished football technicians, to strengthen its FQ Academy squads and pathway programs. 

The two appointments reflect FQ’s ongoing commitment to developing top football talent in Queensland, with both Da Silva and Poole set to bring a wealth of experience that will play a pivotal role in advancing player development across the state. 

“Football Queensland is excited to confirm that we’ve appointed two of the state’s top technical experts, David Da Silva and Matt Poole, to enhance our programs and ensure clear pathways for players to progress to elite levels in line with FQ’s 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan,” FQ State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said. 

“David’s exceptional coaching career, including his recent accolades as NPL Women’s Coach of the Year in 2024 and FQPL 1 Women’s Coach of the Year in 2023, alongside his extensive experience developing young talent at Brisbane City and his leadership roles with the former QAS/NTC and FQ Academy QAS program, makes him the perfect fit for this position. 

“David’s ability to create a high-performance environment with an educational focus is essential for helping to develop Queensland’s young football talent as he collaborates with Isaka Cernak, FQ QAS Academy Manager, and Alex Smith, Head Coach of the Brisbane Roar Women’s A-League team, to offer players invaluable opportunities to train with the senior Brisbane Roar squad. 

“We’re already seeing the benefits of this coaching collaboration with recent joint training sessions and a high-intensity friendly played against Brisbane Roar during the Ninja A-League international break. This building synergy between the Brisbane Roar Women’s A-League side and FQ is expected to significantly strengthen player development efforts and provide emerging youth players with an enhanced pathway to the highest professional levels of the game. 

“We are also excited to welcome Matt Poole to Football Queensland, a highly respected figure in Queensland football. As a three-time recipient of FQ’s Technical Director of the Year award, Matt has consistently demonstrated his expertise and dedication to building a principles-based academy model at Moreton City Excelsior Football Club (MCE). 

“Under his guidance, MCE’s academy became one of the most successful in the state, consistently producing talented players and earning the distinction of being ranked the top academy program by FQ’s Club Assessment Rank as he created a clear pathway for players to progress to the A-League and Junior National Teams.” 

As Senior Manager – Technical for the South East Queensland Conference, Matt will be instrumental in advancing both player and club development in the region, having already begun work with the newly established full-time program for the Under 16 Queensland state squad alongside A Diploma coaches Tom Laxton, FQ Technical Director of Player Development, and the U16 Queensland state team’s Head Coach Chris Hicks. 

“Part of our ongoing advancement efforts includes the evolution of our club development program, which is currently being reviewed and updated, with Matt Poole as part of the core technical group, following a recent international benchmarking and process audit completed by Double Pass,” Ganczer said. 

“Both of these appointments, along with our ongoing efforts to implement best practice across the state, highlight our deliberate and unwavering commitment to providing Queensland’s emerging football talent with unparalleled opportunities to reach their full potential.” 

Speaking about their new roles at FQ, David and Matt both shared a common vision for supporting and growing the game, as they look to build on the established pathways and programs to better shape the future football talent developing in Queensland. 

“I’m excited to be back working at FQ Academy QAS, as I look forward to supporting the delivery of a program that can support our players as they look to progress from high potential to high performers,” FQ Academy QAS Head Coach David Da Silva said. 

“My main goal is to encourage and influence our players to relentlessly pursue excellence whilst continuing to facilitate a strong link between the FQ Academy pathway program and Brisbane Roar FC.” 

“It was always going to be difficult to leave Moreton City, as the club has been a massive part of my life, but I knew I needed to take the next step and a new challenge with this role as it presented a great opportunity to shape player development in the state, work with the clubs, and be involved in coach education,” FQ Senior Manager – Technical (SEQ Conference) Matt Poole said.  

“The player development landscape in Queensland is so unique which opens a great opportunity for FQ and the clubs to work together to achieve even more successful player development outcomes for Queensland players. I look forward to helping to make those outcomes a reality.”