Football Queensland (FQ) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three of Queensland’s leading school sport associations – the Queensland Girls’ Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA), the Associated Independent Colleges (AIC), and the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland (GPS).
Under the agreement, Football Queensland will manage referee appointments for all matches overseen by these associations, ensuring a unified and consistent approach to officiating while providing referees with access to FQ’s development programs, training courses, and online resources.
FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said the signing of the MOU is a significant milestone in enhancing referee development and ensuring long-term sustainability in Queensland in line with the strategic objectives outlined in FQ’s 2024-2026 Referee Strategy.
“This agreement is vital for the future of refereeing in Queensland schools, providing a structured and professional pathway for young match officials while ensuring the highest standards of officiating across school, club, and social competitions,” Cavallucci said.
“School football is a strategic key priority for FQ, offering young people pathways beyond playing into key roles such as refereeing, and this agreement grows our connection with our local schools, creating more opportunities to engage with and support the next generation.
“Through this agreement we are empowering both emerging and experienced referees with world-class training and development opportunities, reinforcing our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and nurturing referees as football continues to grow throughout Queensland.
“We’re excited to work with the QGSSSA, AIC, and GPS to develop a skilled referee network that not only supports school football but strengthens the game as a whole for years to come.”
FQ Manager – Officials Strategy Brad Burton welcomed the agreement as an important step towards building a sustainable and well-supported referee network across the state.
“We are thrilled to partner with QGSSSA, AIC, and GPS to oversee referee appointments in school competitions, ensuring consistency and quality across all matches,” Burton said.
“This agreement not only strengthens the standard of officiating in school sport but also provides referees with the best possible training, development, and education opportunities, helping to cultivate a skilled and unified referee talent pool.
“By providing school football referees with access to FQ’s education programs, online resources, and expert coaching, we’re developing the next generation of match officials while delivering on our Referee Strategy objectives to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of high-quality officiating in Queensland.”
