Football Queensland ‘don’t have the right model’ for regions, says ex-Roar coach Warren Moon
Warren Moon has called on Football Queensland to improve its development model as he takes matters into his own hands with a landmark development deal with a Townsville club.
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Former Brisbane Roar coach Warren Moon has called on Football Queensland to fix its misfiring development model to better serve talent outside the state’s southeast corner.
Lions FC, Moon’s club in the Football Queensland Premier League, has signed a landmark agreement with Brothers Townsville FC to provide coaching and player development in a region he said had been under-served for too long by the state’s governing body.
“We know the regions are desperate for more resources and help,” Moon said.
“Being such a large state, they probably don’t get that help from our state body.
“I’ve been lucky in my time as head coach at the Brisbane Roar, technical director at the Roar academy and club general manager that I’ve been to the regions a lot.
“I understand we have a big state and it’s not easy, but we are all responsible for everyone in the state and we all need to do a better job.
“Right now, we don’t have the right model and that’s why we’re happy to help out (with this Brothers deal), because we feel more can be done in the regions and probably more should be done by the state body to help in the regions.
“Right now, it’s a model where I feel for the people of Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay.
“Josh Brillante comes from Bundaberg. Mary Fowler and Frank Farina come from Cairns. Matildas and Socceroos come from here, so I think we have a responsibility to be better.”
FQ was contacted for comment.
Moon spent two days in Townsville last week developing coaches and players at Brothers, installing some of the structures that have turned Lions FC into a powerhouse.
Moon said his club’s motivations were altruistic – he cares not if Brothers players consider Lions above other rivals should they desire a move to the big smoke.
“It sounds simplistic but I think we just wanted to give back,” Moon said.
“We’re a club in a good position, but this isn’t part of any strategy for us.
“We can see there are good people at this club – they reached out, and it’s grown from there.
“We’re keen to work with Brothers Townsville and see if what we can provide in 12 months makes a difference.
“If it grows organically that’s fantastic, but right now it’s about us trying to give our guidance and assistance based on what we’re doing in Brisbane.”
Moon pitched the need for greater alignment in the junior ranks, ensuring Brothers’ next generation were taught a club identity from the under-four age group that coaches can add layers of complexity to as they develop.
A workshop taught those guiding principles to the club’s leaders so no individual coach would be left to run their own race or teach their own off-the-cuff material.
“There are always good players who come from the regions and we just want to assist,” Moon said.
“Football Queensland tells us that we’re in the top two clubs in the state in terms of our processes and how we do things. What we do is working.”
Brothers Academy director John Duncanson said the signing of the agreement was significant for North Queensland football
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Originally published as Football Queensland ‘don’t have the right model’ for regions, says ex-Roar coach Warren Moon
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