Sport
10 July, 2026
Major game for Rangers
MARLIN Coast Rangers Football Club has qualified for the Australia Cup round of 32 for the first time in its 80-year history, earning a home fixture at Barlow Park next week.
The Trinity Beach-based club secured its place on the national stage after a Queensland Kappa Cup campaign that ended with a 3-1 win over Logan Lightning FC.
The achievement is the first of its kind for the club and marks a milestone for football in Far North Queensland.
The round of 32 draw has paired Marlin Coast Rangers with Victorian VPL1 side Brunswick Juventus Football Club.
The match will be played at Barlow Park on Wednesday 15 July, with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm.
Established in 1946 and celebrating its 80th anniversary, Marlin Coast Rangers is a community-based, volunteer-run club.
The qualification follows last year’s near miss when the club took Queensland NPL side Peninsula Power to extra time before losing 3-2 after conceding a late goal.
According to the club, that result strengthened the squad’s determination ahead of this year’s successful campaign.
Although Marlin Coast Rangers earned the right to host the fixture, the match could not be played at the club’s home ground, Pennell Fields in Trinity Beach.
Football Australia requires Australia Cup venues to meet higher infrastructure, lighting, broadcast and operational standards than those used for regular local and state competitions.
Barlow Park was identified as the only suitable venue in Cairns capable of meeting those requirements.
The club has invited football fans from across the region to support the team as it competes on the national stage.
A win over Brunswick Juventus Football Club would see Marlin Coast Rangers progress to the Australia Cup round of 16, continuing what the club has described as a historic run in the national competition.
