New zones and naming conventions announced by Football Queensland

Matthew Badrov10/08/2021 5:55 am12/10/2021

The past weekend saw Football Queensland announce three new zones to be established and functioning alongside fresh naming conventions which are a greater reflection of their strategic direction and geography.

Metro North and Metro South are set to replace the former Brisbane Zone, while Far North & Gulf has replaced the former Far North and North West zones.

The three new zones are FQ Metro South, FQ Metro North, and FQ Far North & Gulf. They will now join FQ South Coast, FQ Darling Downs, FQ Sunshine Coast, FQ Wide Bay, FQ Central, FQ Whitsunday Coast and FQ North in making up Football Queensland.

Football Queensland Chief Executive Officer Robert Cavallucci stated that the establishment of new zones and naming conventions will improve FQ’s efforts to achieve a better alignment of strategy and outcomes for football.

“The new zones and naming conventions are designed to better reflect the broader geography of the areas and present a more inclusive reference to the wider regions they represent,” he said.

“The boundaries are drawn in such a way as to align with Football Queensland’s strategic priorities. For example, the new Far North & Gulf zone will provide FQ and clubs in the north with a better strategic position to access, service and promote football to Indigenous participants and communities in the Cape.

“Importantly, the names of the zones more closely align with Queensland Government region naming conventions, as we present a united voice for increased investment in football.”

FQ President Ben Richardson was excited at the arrival of the new zones and projected a bright future for football in Queensland as the game continues its journey of reform.

“The creation of these new zones has been approved by Football Australia and is the result of months of close consultation with our stakeholders,” he said.

“I look forward to working with the new committee members as we continue to drive critical reform across the state.”

New FQ Members include Keiren O’Brien and Michael Falchetti for Far North & Gulf; Marty Buttigieg and Rob Rossi for Metro North; and Paul Swindells and Rob Scanlon for Metro South.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

Patrick Irving16/04/2026 8:55 am16/04/2026

Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

Patrick Irving15/04/2026 6:05 am14/04/2026

Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.