Midgley to remain in Cairns
Craig Midgley (above) has stepped down from his role as FNQ Heat technical director. But the man with the highest level of football coaching qualifications in the country will not be lost to football in Cairns. Midgley, who delivers coaching courses to the highest-profile elite coaches, resigned early last week, citing an increasing workload with the FFA on top of the undue pressure brought on by juggling the tension between the Heat and local clubs.
CRAIG Midgley has stepped down from his role as FNQ Heat technical director, but the man with the highest coaching qualifications in the country will not be lost to football in Cairns.
The FFA/AFC Pro Diploma coach, who delivers coaching courses to the highest-profile elite coaches, resigned early last week citing an increasing workload with the FFA on top of the undue pressure brought on juggling the tension between the Heat and local clubs.
Midgley said he felt there was a better way to implement his skills in the community and spend more time with his partner and two children, with a third on the way.
“The reason I came to Cairns was for a family move, not a football move,” he said.
“I’ll stay in Cairns and I’ll do something that suits me and what I’m good at, which is coaching players and coaches.
“I’ve had offers to do things with the FFA and that workload has increased dramatically.”
Midgley said while he was disappointed Football Queensland reneged on his proposal to re-enter Heat teams into the local competition, he was not interested in putting people off-side and simply wanted to move on.
“The tension between community football clubs and the Heat is something I’ve never experienced and that didn’t sit well with me,” he said.
“Some of the emails and stuff being thrown around is nothing short of disgusting.”
Midgley said while the FNQ Super Series had some merit, he felt it lacked on the technical side, and stood by his recommendation made in October to have Heat academy teams in the local junior competition.
“I still believe that was the best way to go,” he said.
“A big part for me of playing in the local community league, playing on a Saturday was for me to actually be there and be accessible to show I was here for the whole region, not just the Heat.
“For my opinion just to be dismissed in such a way, it’s hard for me to accept.”
Midgley said he was as yet unsure what his next role in the Far North would be, but left the door open to being a consultant for the Heat.