Queensland’s best and brightest football coaches in the spotlight
Who are Queensland’s best and brightest coaches and futsal players? We reveal them here and deliver the latest football news from across the state, including a photo gallery of the futsal state cup.
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The Sunshine State’s top football brains and mentors are in the spotlight this week.
A good coach can make all the difference to a team at any level of the game and we’re looking back at the coaches who shone this year as well as all the action from the recent state futsal titles.
This column is provided by the Football Queensland media team.
CAIRNS
Far North Queensland’s top football masterminds were recognised during the 2023 McDonald’s FQPL Far North & Gulf season through the Coach of the Month award.
This aims to recognise the head coach who led their side to the best results across each month of the season, based off percentage of points won, goal difference and head-to-head statistics.
Congratulations to our most decorated coaches from across the 2023 season:
4 – Crios O’Hare (Edge Hill United Men) – February & March, May, June, July*
3 – Andrew Guarrera (Leichhardt FC White Women) – February & March, April, June
1 – Leo Di Carlo (Innisfail United Men) – April
1 – Mathan Paul (Southside Comets Halleys Women) – May
1 – Kane Alderton (Mareeba United Men) – July*
1 – Martin Fehlberg (Stratford Dolphins Women) – July
Waddingham scores first A-League goal
Football Queensland Academy and Edge Hill United product Thomas Waddingham scored his first Isuzu UTE A-Leauge Mens goal for Brisbane Roar over the weekend in the Brisbane Roar’s emphatic victory over the Central Coast Mariners.
At just 18 years of age, the Queenslander has already scored four Australia Cup goals, two goals for the Young Socceroos and now a debut A-League goal in 2023.
Born and raised in Cairns, Waddingham was brought into the Roar Academy after being identified in 2019 through the Football QLD Talent Support Program (TSP)
GOLD COAST
A stellar 2023 for Gold Coast Football continues, with two Gold Coast teams taking home the inaugural Queensland Futsal Cup.
Gold Coast Force took home the Men’s title and Crusaders FC took home the Women’s title across an epic weekend of Futsal at Super Futsal Acacia Ridge
Gold Coast Force had to work hard to defeat F-League outfit EliteFoot in the Semi Final, prevailing 1-0 in a tense battle to set up an intriguing battle with newcomers Mount Gravatt Mountains in the Grand Final.
While Force entered the final as favourites, they got off to the worst possible start, finding themselves trailing 2-0 early. Despite the early setback, Force drew on their experience to score 3 unanswered goals in the second half to clinch a come-from-behind victory and lift the cup!
In the Women’s competition, The Crusaders cruised past South Brisbane Fury 4-0 in the Semi Final to set up a date with regional powerhouses Northern Pulse FC. Despite the Pulse recording a resounding 7-1 victory in the semi final, the Crusaders star power was too much, with the Crusaders running away 9-0 winners in the Final.
A new addition to Football Queensland’s futsal calendar in 2023, the men’s and women’s knockout cup forms part of the state’s newly implemented futsal pyramid and is open to all clubs and teams across the state.
“It has been fantastic to see the Queensland Futsal Cup provide a new platform for our existing and emerging futsal clubs to showcase their talent,” FQ manager futsal Vince Sciacca said.
“It’s been great to see a fantastic crowd turnout across the Finals Series to build on heading into 2024.”
Mackay Whitsunday Coast
The 2023 season was a fantastic display of the footballing talent in the Whitsunday Coast with these coaches leading the way. The following coaches were awarded Macca’s® FQPL Coach of the Month this season:
February/March
Men: Theo Trianta – Mackay Wanderers
Women: Pino Giannangelo – Mackay Lions
April
Men: Scott Boldy – Whitsunday United
Women: Peter Farrell – Whitsunday United
May
Women: Peter Farrell – Whitsunday United
Men: Daniel Scotton – Mackay Lions
June
Women: Peter Farrell – Whitsunday United and Pino Giannangelo – Mackay Lions
Men: Scott Boldy – Whitsunday United
July
Women: Dolphins FC – Stephen Garnett, Rhys Hancock and Greg Kirby
Men: Scott Boldy – Whitsunday United
2023 Football Queensland Volunteer of the Month Winners
Each month of the football season volunteers were recognised for their efforts and sacrifices made to keep football running in the Whitsunday Coast region. The following individuals were recognised for their efforts:
January: Konny Heckscher – Moranbah Hawks
March: Jodie Whitby – Magpies FC
April: Jess Wilson – Mackay Wanderers
May: Millie Camilleri – City Brothers
June: Mick Pisaniello – Proserpine Taipans
July: Lahni Henderson – Whitsunday United
SUNSHINE COAST
Sunshine Coast Wave Men secured a third-place finish in the inaugural Queensland Futsal Cup over the weekend as finals fever hit Super Futsal Acacia Ridge.
Wave went down to eventual Champions Mt Gravatt Mountains 3 – 1 in their Semi-Final on Saturday night, setting up a third-place playoff clash with F-League rivals EliteFoot. Sunday saw a much better performance from the Wave Men, running out convincing 3 – 1 winners to hand the F-League leaders just their third loss of the season in all competitions.
Wave Men currently sit third, equal on points with Crusaders FC, on the F-League ladder with two matches remaining before finals, with one coming against fourth place Ipswich Futsal.
Season 2023 Recap: Coaches of the Month
The Sunshine Coast’s top football masterminds were recognised during the 2023 McDonald’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast season through the Coach of the Month award. This aims to recognise the head coach who led their side to the best results across each month of the season, based off percentage of points won, goal difference and head-to-head statistics.
Congratulations to our most decorated coaches from across the 2023 season:
2 – Gareth Simmonds (Maroochydore FC Women) – March & April, July
1 – Wayne Short (Buderim Wanderers Men) – March & April
1 – Matt Park (Woombye FC Men) – May
1 – Amy Higgins (Beerwah Glasshouse United Women) – May
1 – Brad Lloyd (Kawana FC Men) – June
1 – Oli Williams (Noosa Lions Women) – June
1 – Trent Kelly (Caloundra FC Men) – July
TOWNSVILLE
Football Queensland hopped on the ferry to Magnetic Island to deliver fun football sessions for children to experience the world game.
FQ coaches Matthew Kilsby, Craig Perfect and Josh Small hosted the program for forty-four little superstars who took part in football activities and games at Magnetic Island State School’s grounds.
Macca’s FQPL Coach of the Month Winners
The 2023 season was a fantastic display of the footballing talent in Townsville with these coaches leading the way. The following coaches were awarded Macca’s FQPL Coach of the Month this season:
February/March
Women: Steve McNaughton – Brothers Townsville
April
Men: Brett Dunstan – MA Olympic
Women: Michael Brooks – MA Olympic
May
Women: Steve McNaughton – Brothers Townsville and Michael Brooks – MA Olympic
Men: Mark Heath – Brothers Townsville
June
Women: Michael Brooks – MA Olympic
Men: Saints Eagles Souths – Craig Bacon
CONTENT SUPPLIED BY FOOTBALL QUEENSLAND
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