As Football Queensland celebrates Female Football Week, we recognise the remarkable progress of Southside Comets Football Club, who are leading the way in championing participation, leadership and development for women and girls in the game. 

Based in Cairns’ southern corridor, the Comets have grown their female participation by 65% in just two years, up from 90 players registered in 2023 to 146 last year. With a clear goal of 50/50 gender parity on track to be achieved by 2027, the Comets are setting the benchmark for what’s possible through a strategic, whole-of-club commitment. 

“We’re not just focused on numbers and percentages, we’re building the structures that help girls and women not only at our club but also in our community feel seen, supported and valued, and our growth in recent years is a direct result of that commitment,” Southside Comets President Keiren O’Brien said. 

Women now make up 75% of the club’s executive committee and 80% of the general committee – the highest in club history. The Comets have also appointed their first Women and Girls Ambassador, Tina Dillon, a long-standing volunteer, committee member and coach who continues to be a role model for young players. 

The club is also building a clear pathway for female coach development through women-only education sessions and structured support from entry-level courses to C Diploma licences, with the senior women’s squad and all junior girls teams now led by advanced qualified coaches passionate about advancing the female game. 

A successful partnership with nearby Bentley Park College, the largest school in Far North Queensland, has also helped the club engage more school-aged girls as players and referees. 

“The college is located close to our home ground in Edmonton, so all of their football games and football development programs are run by the school at our club venue. It’s created a fantastic pathway for young girls to get involved from the start,” O’Brien said. 

To support their rapid growth, the club is constructing new female-friendly changerooms and a dedicated referee’s room between their two main fields. Safety improvements, including venue security cameras and fencing to separate spectator areas, have also enhanced the experience for all players and families. 

“Leadership, coaching, visibility, facilities and safety, they all matter to us and to our club. Our success comes from making women and girls a genuine priority in everything we do,” O’Brien concluded. 

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci praised the club’s proactive approach and highlighted its role in the broader state-wide movement for equity. 

“As we work towards our One Football strategic target of 50/50 gender parity across Queensland, Southside Comets are a great example of what’s possible when a club puts the long-term success of women and girls at the centre of its development,” Cavallucci said. 

“With initiatives like our Girls United programs and female-only coach and referee education courses, strong foundations a being laid for the female game and clubs across the state and clubs like Southside Comets are helping to deliver real and sustainable outcomes for their local communities. 

“Women and girls are the future of our game, and we’ll continue to support them and clubs like Southside Comets who are welcoming and driving the change to make our game the game for all, for life.”