2025 marked a year of meaningful progress for Football Queensland, with investment in pathways and development, infrastructure and governance strengthening the foundations of the game through the ongoing delivery of FQ’s key operational strategies.
Throughout the year, we delivered initiatives that expanded access and opportunity for players, coaches, referees, clubs, and communities across the state, ensuring football remained both connected at grassroots level and ambitious in its long-term growth as FQ’s 2023 – 2026 One Football Strategic Plan and extensive operational strategies continued to provide the detailed policy framework and program implementation to support the ongoing growth of the game.
Participation & Community Engagement
Social programs including Girls United, FQ & Roar Football in the Community and Walking Football continued to reach thousands of Queenslanders across the state, offering inclusive, welcoming entry points into the game in line with the 2024 – 2026 Game Development and 2024 – 2026 Women & Girls Strategies.
The Q-League Schools Competition continued to remove barriers to participation for students from highly diverse schools, and since its inception last year has provided playing opportunities for over 900 students in the Logan area.
The inaugural NPL Women’s Magic Round at Nudgee Recreation Reserve was a standout moment during this year’s Female Football Week, while clubs across the state including Southside Comets FC shared their progress in driving strong participation growth as they work towards 50/50 gender parity in participation.
Talent Pathways
The 2024 – 2026 Referee Strategy continued to be a key focus this year as Football Queensland further strengthened referee pathways, supported by improved recruitment and education structures including the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with three of Queensland’s leading school sport associations. Queensland referees and those from the FQ Referee Academy also continued to shine on the national stage, including 11 Queensland referees who were appointed to Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 matches.
2025 was also an important year for coach development, with Queenslanders from across the state undertaking professional development as learning opportunities grew, from entry-level courses to advanced qualifications. The recent all-female B-Diploma course delivered by FQ marked a significant milestone, adding to a growing cohort of women leading on the pitch and strengthening the future coaching landscape in Queensland.
Club Development
Professionalism and ambition amongst our regional clubs continued to rise in 2025, with more clubs progressing through the FQ Academy Club Assessment framework. A standout achievement saw Across The Waves FC become the first Central Conference club to achieve Tier 2 – Development Committed status, marking a major step forward for the Bundaberg-based club and the broader Wide Bay football community.
Football Queensland was proud to launch Future Club+ this year, a ground-breaking initiative designed to strengthen the foundations of football clubs across the state. Developed by FQ in collaboration with CPR Group, Future Club+ focused on enhancing the quality and efficiency of club administration and governance through a series of online club lab sessions, culminating in a dedicated session at the Queensland Football Convention which explored the valuable insights gained and practical solutions to deliver a better experience for club administrators and participants.
The year also brought continued investment in the bolstering of support for clubs in line with the 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan through the launch of Football Queensland’s new Club Support Hub, redesigned to maximise FQ’s support for club administrators and volunteers and deliver crucial guidance to Queensland clubs at every point of the season while enhancing long-term club capability.
Governance & Infrastructure
Ensuring Queensland remains the most affordable state to play football in the country, Football Queensland confirmed that player registration fees will remain unchanged in 2026, marking the sixth year in a row without a governing body fee increase and further demonstrating FQ’s commitment to keeping the game accessible for players and families.
FQ also secured record investment in football infrastructure in 2025, with funding for 37 projects across the state totalling more than $33 million as clubs reaped the benefits of football’s strengthening relationship with government through the ongoing implementation of the 2024 – 2026 Infrastructure Strategy.
Football Queensland’s strategic master planning and advocacy work continued to reshape football infrastructure across the Northern Conference this year, with over $15 million from state and federal pre-election funding commitments and direct FQ investments received in the last 18 months towards upgrades to local clubs and the delivery of FQ’s four master planned Northern football hubs.
Through Football Queensland and Football Australia’s 100-Day Olympic Infrastructure Review Submission which represented the collective voice of Australian football, key infrastructure priorities received stronger visibility and momentum, with the inclusion of Queensland Government contribution towards Perry Park and a State Home of Community Football in the government’s 2032 Delivery Plan aligning with the crucial infrastructure outcomes sought by football.
Innovation & Collaboration
2025 strengthened football’s role as a facilitator of education and development opportunities through strong collaboration with government, community organisations and local businesses.
The launch of the CQU Lab in partnership with CQUniversity brings cutting-edge sports science, education and research straight to Queensland’s football community through access to expert insights into areas including sports science, physiotherapy, chiropractic and podiatry.
Football Queensland also launched the FQ Institute of Business and Sport this year in partnership with TAFE Queensland, created to deliver industry-leading education and career pathways for the state’s sporting community.
Uniting the Football Community
The Queensland Football Convention and Queensland Football Gala brought together over 1,000 members of the football community to learn, grow and celebrate another unforgettable season in a true showcase of the strength of our game in Queensland.
FQ Grand Finals were held at iconic venues across the state this year, including the NPL and FQPL 1 Grand Finals which returned to Perry Park, the spiritual home of Queensland football.
We also saw clubs make their mark on the state and national stage, with the Mitre FQPL Champions League showcasing the very best of regional football this season as FQPL Far North & Gulf side Marlin Coast Rangers defeated FQPL 1 Premiers Magic United to be crowned Champions of Queensland in one of the great achievements for regional sides this year.
In national competitions, Brisbane City reached the Hahn Australia Cup Quarter Finals before our NPL Men Premiers Moreton City Excelsior progressed to the Semi Finals of the inaugural Australian Championship.
Looking Ahead
2025 was a year of both challenges and progress as our clubs, players, volunteers, and communities navigated significant weather disruptions amid the complexities of delivering football across a large and diverse state.
These moments highlighted the realities of the game in Queensland but at the same time revealed the amazing achievements that are possible: emerging talent stepping onto bigger stages, clubs adapting and growing, and more communities engaging with football on and off the pitch.
Looking ahead to 2026, the next phase of the game’s transformation is already taking shape, with major work underway to strengthen referee development and retention. Queensland will also commence its three-year hosting role for the Mitre National Futsal Championships on the Gold Coast, setting the pace as regular season football returns and the game continues to grow and evolve across the state.
Thank you to everyone involved in football this year; to the players, coaches, referees, clubs, volunteers, families, and supporters for your dedication, support and commitment to the success of football in Queensland in 2025. See you in 2026!
