Football Queensland Unveils 10-Point Plan to Transform Match Officiating

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Football Queensland is leading a statewide overhaul of officiating, backed by record investment and new referee initiatives aligned with its 2024–2026 Referee Strategy and One Football Strategic Plan.

The initiatives include revamping the Club Referee program and introducing a statewide requirement for every Queensland club to provide one referee per team.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci implied the reforms were shaped through direct collaboration with clubs and referees, with a strong focus on strengthening the officiating pipeline and removing barriers to participation across the state.

“At the recent referee summit, we worked with clubs to drive an increase in the number of club-based referees in the game that will go on to build the referee base of the future,” he said via official FQ media release.

“In a landmark announcement, the ‘Play for Free’ fee reforms are set to deliver benefits to participants in every part of the state, where FQ match officials will receive free or heavily discounted access to Football Queensland competitions in 2026 as part of the wide-ranging suite of referee initiatives. 

“Football Queensland is proud to announce that 2026 will see our largest investment in match officials to date. This significant investment is designed to provide match officials with confidence whilst we build a professional and sustainable environment that benefits the entire Queensland football community, from grassroots to advanced competitions. 

“The rollout of the multi-faceted investment plan is a key focus for Football Queensland in 2026 and beyond, reinforcing the crucial role our referees play in the delivery of the game while driving long-term improvements in recruitment, development and retention. 

“We’re also investing in match day coaching, enhanced delivery of statewide development curriculum and support for regional match officials, and improved technology to streamline appointments and fixturing. Our ultimate goal with the introduction of these initiatives is to give referees greater clarity, support and confidence throughout the season.” 

Football Queensland is further bolstering its referee department by introducing new support roles for clubs under the Club Referee strategy, appointing FIFA referee Alex King as Head of Advanced Match Officials, and simplifying access to referee apparel.

In preparation for the 2026 season, Football Queensland has introduced a new Club Support Hub featuring an FQ Referee Support portal, providing referees and club administrators with direct, one-on-one access to guidance from FQ’s Customer Service Team.

Click here to view a summary of the 10-point transformational plan.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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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

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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.

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