Gold Coast Football: Clubs ready for new FQPL2
GOLD Coast’s two clubs entering Football Queensland’s new competition are preparing for the unknown and both will be lead by new coaches.
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GOLD Coast’s two clubs entering Football Queensland’s new competition are preparing for the unknown and both will be lead by new coaches.
Magic United will head into the FQPL2 under Keith Stevens while the Coomera Colts have gained the leadership of Steven Morrison.
Magic to work on team mix
YOUTH is the key to Carrara’s Magic United squad according to coach Keith Stevens as the club makes the move to Football Queensland’s new league.
The club is one of eight that’ll make up the inaugural season of the FQPL2, along with fellow Gold Coast club Coomera Colts.
Stevens (pictured) has been appointed to lead the club, who’ll have teams in the senior men and women’s division along with an under 23s side in the new competition.
Spending 14 years coaching at The Southport School after playing more than 450 games for Millwall, Stevens has been a part of the Gold Coast Knights set up the last couple of seasons coaching the under 13s and 14s before taking over the under 20s last year.
The coach sees the new league as a stepping stone for Coast’s top young talent and said the makeup of his side is still being decided.
“It’s important we have a good mixture of youth, the middle age bracket and experience. If we have three or four youngsters, three or four in their mid-20s and then experience you’ve got a good mix,” he said.
“We’re just sorting through those who want to play and the right mix.
“It’s great that we now have a men’s and women’s league that the younger talent wanting to play NPL can test themselves against adults.
“Younger players in senior football is a great way to develop talent. Those players need to play senior football and test themselves.”
The new coach said there’s no cap on where the club can end up but for the time being cementing competitive culture in the FQPL2 is the first task.
COLTS RACE INTO NEW LEAGUE
COOMERA Soccer Club will take Gold Coast football to another level next season with the Colts accepted into the new Football Queensland Premier League 2.
One of eight clubs to be confirmed to join the inaugural season of the FQPL2, Coomera along with Magic United make up the Gold Coast contingent for the 2021 competition.
Newly appointed Coomera head coach Steven Morrison will be joined by former Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United player Henrique, who will take on the technical director role at the Colts after calling an end to his playing career.
Morrison, who will progress from reserves to senior coach, said Coomera’s inclusion league was fantastic for northern Gold Coast football.
“This opportunity is great for the Gold Coast with us representing the north and Magic United the south,” he said. “We’ve already had interest from players at the FQPL1 competition and local players wanting to make the step up.
“Conversations have been had with all of our players to see where they’re at because the step up in league will bring more travel and training commitments, which some players might not want to do.
“Those who wish to stay on will be given equal opportunity and the chance to play. We want to keep what we’ve got but just add anyone we think will make us better.”
Henrique, who joined Coomera last season after a 181-game A-League career, won’t be joining his teammates on the field next season but is willing to provide support in his off-field role.
“Now I’m going to fully concentrate on my coaching career and whatever the players or club need I’ll be there for them,” he said.
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