Sunshine Coast Fire rejoin shortlist for 2025 National Second Tier

The Sunshine Coast FC have dropped a bombshell, revealing their dispute with Football Qld meant they spent the money required for the national second tier on its juniors. But a late change by Football Aus has given the club an NST lifeline. Discover it here.

Sunshine Coast Fire. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Sunshine Coast FC haven't ruled out the possibility of competing in the inaugural NST 2025 competition but say their priority remains on the launch of their international junior and senior programs.

After being forcibly removed from all Football Queensland competitions in October last year the Fire initially withdrew their application to Football Australia’s National Second Tier.

In May the club was asked to reconsider in the hopes of resolving their current licensing issue with FQ which if successful, would’ve granted them as a founding club in the NST.

With a resolution still in doubt, the Fire became an accredited body within the English FA in June and are set to compete in the Junior Premier League (under 16s) and the National Football Youth League (under-19s or under-23s).

After months of deliberation between FA, FQ and the Fire the club has continued to push for the second tier league and it has now been revealed that they would no longer need a state body license or affiliation to compete in the NST.

Football Australia announced on Thursday the NST would be made up of eight foundation clubs and the eight premiers from the eight state competitions.

A further six clubs, including Sunshine Coast FC, met the technical elements but were unable to meet the mandatory financial requirements.

FA added that they would continue to monitor those clubs as they seek to advance their bid proposals.

Sporting director Melvyn Wilkes and head of sports science and performance Bruno Pena Couto. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Fire sporting director Melvyn Wilkes said the door remains open from FA if Sunshine Coast FC wish to join the NST before October 2025.

“We no longer need affiliation with FQ which was the initial hold-up,” Wilkes said.

“FA were great but FQ were putting roadblocks in place which is when we launched our international academy and are currently in the process of helping craft the junior premier league in Australia,” he said.

Wilkes said the club would re-asses their funds after launching their overseas international academy.

“The money we had set aside and allocated for the second tier, we spent on launching our international academy,” he said.

Wilkes formerly worked as a coach for West Bromwich Albion when they competed in the English Premier League.

“We spent a lot on securing a significant property for the players to live, study, train and play during their time.

“We told FA that this was the case but they hope to work with us and that’s why the doors been left open.”

Wilkes said the FA had not given them a cut-off date on their decision to join the NST.

“Even if we do decide to join the NST our overseas program will still go ahead given we’ve secured affiliation with the English FA for our two junior competitions and we’re looking at entering the senior pyramid system in the UK as well,” he said.

“We’re pushing forward so we’ll do what we need to do first and then we can look at entering the second tier as well.”If the Fire are confirmed for NST they will play their home matches out of the Sunshine Coast Stadium in agreement with the stadium board and Sunshine Coast council.