Football Queensland begins road trip for Futsal and Walking Football

Football Queensland (FQ) has announced the launch of a state-wide road trip to promote Walking Football and futsal in their state, with free sessions to be held in a range of locations in Wide Bay and Central Queensland.

The week-long road trip begins today (Monday, May 10) in Bundaberg and will conclude on Monday, May 17 in Gladstone – with various community activations scheduled in Hervey Bay, Emerald and Rockhampton.

“This is another example of FQ’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible participation experiences, regardless of age, gender, location or cultural background,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.

“We are determined to grow football across the entire state by providing all Queenslanders with the opportunity to try different forms of the game, such as futsal and Walking Football.”

FQ Officer for Walking Football Alan Templeton said that he was eager to promote the modified form of the game in the regions.

“It has been fantastic to see the popularity and growth of Walking Football here in Queensland,” Templeton said.

“Following the success of the recent Walking Football tournament in Brisbane, this trip is all about spreading awareness of this form of football so that Queenslanders of all ages and fitness levels can continue playing the game they love.

“Walking Football is a great way for Queenslanders to stay fit, develop balance and strength, improve reaction times and build self-esteem and social connectedness.”

Accompanying Templeton on the road trip will be FQ Officer for Futsal Trevor Edwards, who will deliver school sessions and conduct community consultation meetings.

“Futsal is fast, fun and exciting and we want to make sure that all Queenslanders have access to the sport,” Edwards said.

“We know that kids who get involved in futsal turbo-charge their skill development and become better footballers as well, so that’s why we will be engaging with schools and clubs throughout Wide Bay and Central Queensland.

“Futsal has historically been focused on metropolitan areas, so this trip is a great opportunity to expand and develop the game in the regions in line with our strategic objective to grow all forms of football throughout Queensland.”

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Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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