Queensland’s young rising stars and coaches took centre stage this weekend as Football Queensland proudly showcased FQ Academy players in a Football Australia Talent Development match delivered as part of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.
The match was embedded into the program of the four-day FIFA Knowledge Exchange workshop, which brought together 65 delegates from 13 Member Associations for multiple class-based sessions, talent development and coach education sessions as well as a visit to the Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United NINJA A-League Women’s game at Perry Park.
The workshop welcomed many esteemed international FIFA delegates, including AFC’s Head of Women’s Football, Lili Bai; FIFA expert and former U.S. National Team Player and Coach, April Heinrichs; FIFA High Performance Specialist and former AC Milan, Arsenal, and Swiss international player, Philippe Senderos; and Saudi Arabian Football Federation Technical Director and former Olympique Marseille head coach, Nasser Larguet.
“The Talent Development match provided Queensland’s emerging young footballers in our FQ Academy pathway with the perfect platform to demonstrate their skills and potential in front of top technical experts and coaches from FA and from around the world,” FQ General Manager – Football & State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said.
“The FQ Academy squads, which included players selected from both regional and metro areas, were closely observed by FQ Academy coaches, as well as visiting FIFA delegates and FA National Youth Team coaches, including Brad Maloney, head coach of the Australian Joeys Under-17 national youth team.
“The matches were designed with a focus on player development, allowing all participants to maximise their game time and play in their preferred positions. This approach not only helped to boost confidence but also provided crucial talent identification exposure to national selectors, creating pathways for future opportunities within state and national teams.
“This event highlighted the rich talent pool within Queensland and by bringing together players from across Queensland, not only for this match, but also for a mini-training camp leading into FA fixture, we are strengthening the FQ Academy pathway and its ability to offer more opportunities for players to showcase their abilities on a larger stage.
“In addition to the talent development games, the embedded coach workshop provided an invaluable education component to the weekend, providing our Queensland’s coaches the opportunity to earn CPD points while learning from the visiting FA and FIFA technical experts.
“Coach education is fundamental to supporting the future of football and the advancement of our game in Queensland, and it is initiatives like this that will leave a lasting impact on the development of both our players and our coaches, as well as the broader Queensland football community.
“The event’s benefits extended beyond players and coaches, with young referees from the FQ Referee Academy also stepping into the spotlight. Their professionalism on the field underscored the strength of Football Queensland’s holistic approach to football development as it continued to nurture talent to high levels across all aspects of the game.
“By fostering and benchmarking our pathways and education against the world’s best standards, FQ continues to build a bright future for the game, inspiring the next generation to reach new heights.”