Three community sports facilities in Wide Bay will benefit from professional management and significant investment after being acquired by Football Queensland. 

FQ will manage Federation Park in Maryborough, Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct in Hervey Bay and Martens Oval in Bundaberg, ensuring all local funds are retained for the benefit of the Wide Bay football community.  

FQ Central Coast General Manager Andy Allan said the changes to the governance and administration of football facilities in Wide Bay is a positive outcome of FQ’s Future of Football 2020+ reforms. 

“This is a major milestone for Wide Bay football as we continue to grow the game and support local football communities. 

“Acquiring the management of these three facilities will allow Football Queensland to support local participants and local jobs at the venues. 

“We have a five-year plan in place to upgrade these facilities and all monies raised at these venues will be retained locally and reinvested in developing football in Wide Bay. 

The outcome will also allow FQ to grow the game by rolling out new participation products at all three facilities, said Allan. 

“Federation Park, Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct and Martens Oval are important hubs of football in our region, utilised by thousands of footballers of all ages throughout the year. 

“Football Queensland has introduced new junior, female and elderly Queenslanders to football through targeted participation programs held at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct. 

“We will now be in a position to roll out MiniRoos, Girls United and Walking Football initiatives at Federation Park in Maryborough and Martens Oval in Bundaberg. 

“I would like to thank the outgoing local area committees, Fraser Coast Regional Council and Bundaberg Regional Council for supporting the Wide Bay football community through this process.”