Race to secure place in football finals spot heats across state
As the race to secure a finals spot heats across Queensland we name the players leading the charge for your club. Find out who cracked the list here.
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With finals football just around the corner the action across the state is heating up.
Here’s our look at the top players and teams plus an insight into how Queensland fared at the Football Australia National Youth Championships for Boys.
Information in this article is provided by the Football Queensland Media team.
FAR NORTH AND GULF
Ten players from the Football Queensland (FQ) Academy Far North & Gulf program travelled to Wollongong in NSW this past week to represent the state in Football Australia’s National Youth Championships for Boys.
The significant Far North & Gulf player representation was seen in the Under-16 age group, as six players were selected in the U16 playing squad.
Capping off an exciting tournament, Queensland’s U16 White team, including local talents
Victor Gill and Dominic Johnson, advanced to the final where they fell just short against
Football NSW’s Metro Sky.
Their path to the final was highlighted by a remarkable comeback in the semi-final, overturning a 2-0 deficit against Northern NSW.
The boys tournament followed Football Australia’s National Youth Championships for Girls held in Victoria, where Queensland teams also excelled, achieving top-four finishes across both U15 and U16 age groups.
C Diploma opportunities in Cairns
Football Queensland is gearing up to host an exciting opportunity for aspiring coaches in the
region.
The highly anticipated Football Australia sanctioned ‘C’ Diploma course kicks off at Endeavour Park on August 23, and will be hosted by Davide Bertamini and Martin Docherty,
who will be making the trip from Brisbane to deliver the program alongside FQ’s Far North and Gulf Club Development Ambassador Jack Southwell.
This intensive program dives deeply into the Principles of Play and technical game aspects, but to ensure all participants are fully prepared for the course, coaches are encouraged to attend Foundation of Football sessions this Friday or Sunday.
These sessions serve as a prerequisite, equipping coaches with foundational knowledge and skills crucial for success in the ‘C’ Diploma course.
Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, this is an unmissable chance to advance
on the coaching pathway and learn from some of the country’s most respected coach educators.
Visit the Football Queensland website to secure your spot and join fellow enthusiasts in advancing your coaching talents and help produce the next star Matilda or Socceroo from right here in Cairns.
Junior carnival
Endeavour Park buzzed with excitement this past weekend as it welcomed more 1200
attendees to the FQ Academy Northern Conference Junior Carnival.
The event featured more than 250 young players aged under-9 to U13 from Northern, Mt Isa, and Far North & Gulf FQ Academy centres.
More than 80 players from the FQ Academy Far North & Gulf program participated across seven
teams, capturing the attention of coaches and talent identification scouts who closely observed
throughout the action-packed weekend.
Designed to showcase talent and develop skills through in-game play, the two-day carnival was a brilliant showcase of the region’s passion for grassroots football.
Far North & Gulf Results
Men
Southside Comets 4 def Innisfail United 1
Innisfail United 2 def by Mareeba United 3
Round preview
Round 18 of the FQPL Far North & Gulf is upon us, and as the tail end of the season creeps
closer and closer the matches are intensifying as top teams vie for premiership glory.
This weekend features two marquee fixtures
Marlin Coast Rangers, the current leaders, face off against second-placed Leichhardt Lions in a clash of the titans in the men’s competition.
Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, there’s a top-four showdown as Mareeba United look
to defend their third spot against the in-form Southside Comets.
Why not make it a weekend packed with football excitement and head down to Lindsay Australia Stadium this Friday to catch all the women’s action from 8:30pm.
Then, on Saturday head over to Leichhardt FC at 7pm for the men’s game.
Fixtures
Women
Friday, July 26
Innisfail United vs Edge Hill Tigers, Steve Corica Oval Innisfail, 8:30pm
Stratford Dolphins vs Redlynch Strikers, Nick Brko Field| 8:30pm
Mareeba United vs Southside Comets, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 8:30pm
Men
Saturday, July 27
Innisfail United vs Edge Hill Tigers, Steve Corica Oval Innisfail, 7pm
Leichhardt Lions vs Marlin Coast Rangers, Leichhardt FC, 7pm
Mareeba United vs Southside Comets, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 7pm
Sunday, July 28
Stratford Dolphins vs Redlynch Strikers, Nick Brko Field, 5pm
SOUTH COAST
A total of 24 players from the Football Queensland (FQ) Academy South Coast program travelled to Wollongong in NSW this past week to represent the state in Football Australia’s National Youth Championships for Boys.
The significant South Coast player representation extended over both U15 and U16 age groups, with 11 players in the U16 squad and 13 players in the U15 squad.
Capping off an exciting tournament, Queensland’s U16 White team, including local talents
Keegan Botha, Kayden Carden, Fenner Lee and Kyan Ryder, advanced to the final where they
fell just short against Football NSW’s Metro Sky team.
Their path to the final was highlighted by a remarkable comeback in the semi-final, overturning a 2-0 deficit against Northern NSW.
Kappa Pro Series finals preview
Two Gold Coast teams will be chasing history this weekend, as they look to take home the
Kappa Pro Series Cup this Saturday.
Gold Coast’s representation will extend over both finals, with the Gold Coast United men and Gold Coast Knights women battling it out for glory at Goodwin Park.
The Gold Coast Knights will kick off the action on Saturday with their final against Logan Lightning.
The Knights have been a force to be reckoned with in the Kappa Pro Series, scoring an unbelievable 21 goals in their last two games in the cup.
In the Knights’ last meeting with Lightning in last month’s Queensland Cup clash, it was the Knights that ran out 5-0 winners, with Laura Sevil and Rie Kitano combining for an incredible four goals.
The Knights’ attack is in strong form heading into Saturday’s cup final, and with plenty to play for the game is set to be an enthralling battle.
Saturday’s Men’s Kappa Pro Series Final will see Gold Coast United come up against a strong
Lions FC team.
Lions currently sit third on the National Premier League Men’s (NPL) table.
Despite this, Gold Coast United was able to secure the 3-2 victory against Lions earlier in the season.
Gold Coast will be hoping to replicate the same performance in this weekend’s final in
what shapes up to be an exciting game between two of the league’s top teams.
The Kappa Pro Series Finals will be played at Olympic FC’s Goodwin Park.
Women’s Final
Gold Coast Knights vs Logan Lightning – Goodwin Park: 4.30pm Saturday, July 27
Men’s Final
Gold Coast United vs Lions FC – Goodwin Park: 7.30pm Saturday, July 27
South Coast review
In another action-packed week of FQPL 3 South Coast football, the coaches have had their say and voted the best players from the week.
Take a look at the players who performed best across the grounds last weekend!
Men
Gold Coast Knights vs. Surfers Paradise Apollo (1-3)
Surfers Paradise Apollo
Bruno Rodriguez, 3
Jesse Zborovsky, 2
Brandon Gomez, 1
Southport vs Tweed United (3-1)
Southport
Sam Odonnell, 3
Charlie Saunders, 2
Kazato Fujimura, 1
Tweed United
Trevor Wassell, 3
Michael Gardner, 2
Adam Mcgrory, 1
Robina City vs. Coomera (1-0)
Robina City
Joshua Koloski, 3
Luke Devitt, 2
Samuel Field, 1
Coomera
Jordan Acevedo, 3
Andrew Ridden, 2
Spencer Booth, 1
Ormeau vs. Runaway Bay (6-2)
Ormeau
Jay Jay Olivares, 3
Ricardo Magalhaes, 2
Morgan Thompson, 1
Runaway Bay:
Gustavo Moreira, 3
Thirone Correia, 2
Caio Cardoso, 1
Palm Beach vs. Burleigh Heads (0-2)
Burleigh Heads
Ollie Vermillion, 3
Connor Maguire, 2
Gabriel Oliveira, 1
Musgrave vs. Kingscliff (0-6)
Kingscliff
Johnson Slotemaker, 3
Dylan Barwick, 2
Olavo Santos, 1
Women
Nerang vs. Runaway Bay (0-4)
Nerang
Annabelle Gray, 3
Grace Milne, 2
Chinara Lau, 1
Runaway Bay:
Nambi Branton, 3
Laura Hogg, 2
Emily Sams, 1
Magic vs. Coomera (2-2)
Coomera
Hanna Muamar, 3
Summer Adam, 2
Rachel Solomon, 1
Palm Beach vs. Musgrave (2-0)
Palm Beach
Jasmine Harvy, 3
Gemma Davies, 2
Danielle Barrett, 1
Musgrave
Isabella Leckie, 3
Rebecca Lane, 2
Sophie Bui, 1
Whitsunday Coast
Six players from the Football Queensland (FQ) Academy Northern program travelled to Wollongong in NSW this past week to represent the state in Football Australia’s National Youth Championships for Boys.
The significant Northern player representation extended over both U15 and U16 age groups, with two players in the U16 squad and four players in the U15 squad.
The boys tournament followed Football Australia’s National Youth Championships for Girls held in Victoria, where Queensland teams also excelled, achieving top-four finishes across both U15 and U16 age groups.
Social League kicks off
Football Queensland’s Girls United Social League has kicked off for Term 3 in the Whitsunday Coast region, with five teams taking part in the social football competition at Mackay Football Park.
The Girls United Social League provides playing opportunities for women and girls who are new to football or returning to the game in a more flexible format to traditional football.
Whitsunday Coast Men
Mackay Rangers will welcome Mackay Lions in a top four clash this weekend in Round 17 of the FQPL Whitsunday Coast Men.
The two sides met just weeks ago, where Lions secured a 2-1 win against this weekend’s hosts.
There’s plenty on the line for Rangers though, who currently sit in fourth just three points ahead of fifth-placed City Brothers and come into this clash off the back of a 3-0 loss to ladder leaders Magpies FC.
Fixtures
Saturday, July 27
Mackay Rangers vs. Mackay Lions, Rangers FC, 5pm
Whitsunday United vs. Mackay Wanderers, Whitsunday United FC, 7pm
Magpies FC vs. City Brothers, Magpies FC, 7pm
Whitsunday Coast Women
A top four clash headlines Round 18 of the FQPL Whitsunday Coast Women this weekend as
second-placed Whitsunday United host a Magpies FC side currently in fourth and looking for
their first win in four matches.
Whitsunday United, meanwhile, haven’t tasted defeat since the beginning of June, going on a six match winning run since their loss at the hands of ladder leaders Mackay Lions in Round 12.
Magpies FC will need to turn their form around if they’re to challenge the top two side this weekend, but will bring some confidence from the 1-1 draw they secured back when the two
teams last met in Round 4.
Fixtures
Friday, July 26
Country United vs. Mackay Rangers, Tiger Park, 8pm
City Brothers vs. Mackay Lions, City Brothers FC, 8pm
Dolphins FC vs. Mackay Wanderers, Dolphin Park, 8pm
Saturday, July 27
Whitsunday United vs. Magpies FC, Whitsunday United FC, 6pm
SUNSHINE COAST
Four players from the Football Queensland (FQ) Academy Sunshine Coast program travelled to Wollongong in NSW this past week to represent the state in Football Australia’s National Youth Championships for Boys.
The Sunshine Coast player representation extended over both U15 and U16 age groups, with two players represented in both squads.
Capping off an exciting tournament, Queensland’s U16 White team advanced to the final
where they fell just short against Football NSW’s Metro Sky.
Their path to the final was highlighted by a remarkable comeback in the semi-final overturning a 2-0 deficit against Northern NSW.
The boys tournament followed Football Australia’s National Youth Championships for Girls held in Victoria, where Queensland teams also excelled, achieving top-four finishes across both U15 and U16 age groups.
Sunshine Coast review
The Sunshine Coast FQPL Men’s and Women’s competitions delivered another exciting round of action, as the ladders start to take shape ahead of finals.
Take a look at the best players from the weekend as voted by the coaches.
Men
Caloundra vs. Buderim (3-0)
Caloundra
Connor Robinson, 3
Ethan Galbraith, 2
Riley Campbell, 1
Buderim
Nic Butler, 3
Jed Zanos, 2
Callum Bunting, 1
Beerwah Glasshouse vs Coolum (2-2)
Beerwah Glasshouse
Declan Martin, 3
Jaffar Kamara, 2
Davey Kirkham, 1
Baringa vs. Noosa (1-1)
Baringa
Thomas Fanning, 3
Ryan Mawditt, 2
Matthew Davis, 1
Noosa
Zac Savage, 3
Cole Campbell, 2
Isaac Metherell, 1
Kawana vs. Maroochydore (3-1)
Kawana
Pedro White, 3
Pablo Emiliano Velasco Ron, 2
Tyler Turner, 1
Nambour Yandina vs Woombye (1-2)
Nambour Yandina
Bryn Grigg, 3
Cheyne Miller, 2
Will Day, 1
Woombye
Nicholas Close, 3
Benjamin Newcome, 2
Kai Holmes, 1
Women
Beerwah Glasshouse vs. Noosa (1-2)
Gympie vs. Maroochydore (1-3)
Gympie
Annika Coyne, 3
Jaidyn Dennien, 2
Zoe Morrison, 1
Nambour Yandina vs Woombye (1-4)
Nambour Yandina
Paige Adams, 3
Sophie Cudlipp, 2
Tayhla Weire, 1
Woombye
Keira Burgess, 3
Ruth Byrne, 2
Georgia Dixson, 1
Darling Downs
This weekend’s round of Darling Downs fixtures provides an exciting matchup between two teams that are looking to assert themselves within the top four of the FQPL 3 Men’s league. Gatton Redbacks will host St Albans this Saturday night in what’s set to be a mouth-watering clash.
Gatton has snapped a two-game losing streak after defeating joint leaders West Wanderers last round.
A brace from Gatton’s Wilfred Roanaota was enough to lead the Redbacks to a 2-1 upset.
The victory extends Gatton’s separation on St Albans to eight points on the table, where both teams sit third and fourth respectively.
This matchup will provide St Albans the opportunity to close the gap with finals fast approaching.
St Albans enters this match with a losing streak of their own, after losing their last two games in the league.
St Albans will be hoping to avenge the 3-1 defeat they suffered in their last meeting with Gatton, as they continue their quest for finals football.
Be sure to head to Gatton’s Dixon Oval on Saturday night at 7pm, as two teams battle it out for places in the top four.
Darling Downs review
In another round of upsets and goals, the Darling Downs FQPL Men’s and Women’s
competitions provided some top individual performances.
Check out the 3-2-1’s from the
weekend matches as voted for by the coaches!
Men
Highfields vs. Willowburn (1-2)
Highfields
Joshua Green, 3
Matthew Eilers, 2
Thomas Jeffcoat, 1
Willowburn
Eric Ricaurte Tobon, 3
Zachary Lucido, 2
Brodie Welch, 1
West Wanderers vs Gatton (1-2)
West Wanderers
Jeapson Peter, 3
Ada Ndayishimiye, 2
Callum Zadow, 1
Gatton
Wilfred Roanaota, 3
Adam Halstead, 2
Masaya Okuda, 1
St Albans vs. Rockville Rovers (3-4)
St Albans
Daniel Weber, 3
Lachie Atkinson, 2
Dominick Woodland, 1
Rockville Rovers
Ameer Sulaiman, 3
Jase Sampson, 2
Amar Jarullah, 1
Women
Warwick vs. Rockville Rovers (1-4)
Warwick
Emmaline Newley, 3
Faith Henderson, 2
Lucy Waldron, 1
Rockville Rovers
Christina Harman, 3
Dawn Holden, 2
Sheniya Bell, 1
Highfields Gold vs. Highfields Green (1-8)
Highfields Gold
Belynda Murphy, 3
Crystal Peyser, 2
Emma-Louise Bonham, 1
Highfields Green
Brittany Menzies, 3
Savannah Moon, 2
Ameleah-Paige Miller, 1
Chinchilla vs Willowburn White (0-5)
Chinchilla
Alyssa Jordan, 3
Sally Carroll, 2
Annie Johnson, 1
Willowburn White
Libby Morris, 3
Penny Dukes, 2
Courtney Morris, 1
USQFC vs. Willowburn Black (5-1)
USQFC
Hannah Waltisbuhl, 3
Jasmin Mclean, 2
Joyce De Wit, 1
NORTHERN
More than 100 players from the FQ Academy Northern program travelled to Cairns over the weekend to play in the FQ Academy Northern Conference Junior Carnival at Endeavour Park.
The carnival, delivered by Football Queensland, featured more than 250 young players aged
U9 to U13 from Northern, Mt Isa, and Far North & Gulf FQ Academy centres.
The carnival drew in more than 1200 attendees including parents, coaches and talent
identification scouts who closely observed players throughout the action-packed weekend.
Designed to showcase talent and develop skills through in-game play, the three-day carnival
was a brilliant showcase of the region’s passion for grassroots football.
Social League returns
Football Queensland’s Girls United Social League is back and bigger than ever in Term 3, with 14 teams and more than 100 participants participating.
Northern clubs and players are fuelling the program’s rise in popularity, highlighting a burgeoning interest in women’s and girls’ football especially as we mark the one year anniversary of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off on our shores.
This term’s program promises an exciting showcase of skill and camaraderie, reflecting the league’s growing influence in the Northern football community and its role in nurturing female talent in the sport through the flexible, inclusive format of Girls United.
Northern Results
Women
Brothers Townsville 0 drew Estates FC 0
Townsville Warriors 5 def Burdekin FC 0
MA Olympic FC 6 def Saints Eagles Souths 0
Men
Townsville Warriors 1 def by Burdekin FC 2
MA Olympic FC 3 def Saints Eagles Souths 0
Brothers Townsville 4 def Estates FC 1
Riverway JCU 2 def Rebels FC 1
Northern preview
Round 18 of the FQPL Northern is just around the corner, promising another exciting weekend of football action.
The highlight of this round is undoubtedly the clash between Estates and Burdekin in the men’s competition.
Burdekin, currently sitting second on the ladder, will be facing off against Estates, who are determined to secure a win and close the gap on Brothers Townsville in third place.
This matchup is crucial for Estates as they look to climb higher in the standings and strengthen their position in the league.
Football fans can expect an intense and thrilling game as both teams vie for victory.
Head down to Burt Street Football and catch this top four clash on Sunday kicking off at 6pm.
Fixtures
Women
Saturday, July 27
Saints Eagles Souths vs. Brothers Townsville, Aitkenvale Park, 5pm
Riverway JCU vs. MA Olympic FC |Paradise Park, 6:30pm
Sunday, July 28
Estates FC vs. Burdekin FC, Burt Street Football, 4pm
Men
Saturday, July 27
Saints Eagles Souths vs. Brothers Townsville, Aitkenvale Park, 7pm
Rebels FC vs. Townsville Warriors, Greenwood Park, 7pm
Riverway JCU vs. MA Olympic FC, Paradise Park, 8:30pm
Sunday, July 28
Estates FC vs. Burdekin FC, Burt Street Football, 6pm
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