Sport
26 October, 2026
Soccer clubs’ superb victory
THE state’s soccer clubs, including those in Cairns, Innisfail and the Tablelands, have won a victory over Football Queensland’s proposed fee hikes for 2027.
Following pressure, the Football Queensland Board, in consultation with the Football Queensland Congress, has decided to retain the existing 2026 fee structure for the 2027 season, with “modest adjustments to reflect inflation and changes to the treatment of transaction and technology costs’.
‘Our responsibility is to make decisions in the best interests of football across Queensland,” a FQ statement said.
“That means listening to our clubs, being prepared to reconsider our approach when needed and making decisions that are practical for the people who deliver football in our communities,” it said.
“While we remain confident in the objectives behind the previously proposed Competition Access Fee (CAF) model, we recognise that it represented a significant change for clubs, many of which rely heavily on volunteers.
“Having carefully considered the feedback and the practical challenges of implementation, the board believes retaining the existing structure for 2027 is the most sensible way forward.”
What it means is that the miniroos enrolment fee will rise $3 to $50 plus $7 technology and transaction fees of $7 to total $60, juniors will go up $6 plus a $8 technology and transaction fee to total $80 and seniors by $10 plus a $10 technology and transaction fee to total $150.
The move comes after an unprecedented show of solidarity with Far Northern clubs joining more than 100 others across Queensland in criticising FQ’s new Competition Access Fees (CAF) for 2027.
A joint statement across the clubs’ social media sites called for a pause on the proposed CAF model, full financial transparency, consultation with clubs and for FQ to work with them to advance a “fair and sustainable way forward”. “Our clubs may represent different communities, regions and competitions, but we are united,” the statement says.
“This is not about resisting change. It is about ensuring that change is reasonable, properly planned and does not place unfair costs, risks or administrative burdens on families and volunteer-run clubs.
“We remain committed to working constructively with Football Queensland for the benefit of everyone involved in our game.”
Scott Osborne, on Edge Hill United Football Club’s Facebook page, said there was “absolutely no good reason why FQ are not completely totally and utterly financially transparent”.
“Bring the dollar back to the community clubs and away from the corporations,” he said.
“Without the community clubs across the state, FQ do not exist. They would do well to remember that.”
Dwayne Mallard, also on the FB page, said he lived in West Australia and visited Cairns often and “have witnessed first-hand the community love and unity that Edge Hill have created”.
“It’s not unique, as there are so many volunteers Australia wide, but it’s special and it’s the gold standard,” he said.
“A collective voice for a collective way forward always works best.
“Well done to all involved in what you do with love for the love of the community.”
Lisa Chirio said other top tier codes supported community clubs.
“In FQ it’s the reverse,” she said. “Put miniroos into clubs. Let the clubs earn from their canteen and no entrance fees.”
Dave Harrison, on Stratford Dolphins FB page, said with the price increases he would “love to see our miniroos games all played at our own clubs as well”.
“I’d much rather be paying our entry fees at our own clubs to help with the ongoing cost rises to each club than pay it at Endeavour Park,” he said.
“Which also makes me wonder if they are going to raise the entry fee at Endeavour with all the price increases?”
