Effort to keep United on park defies the odds
After struggling to field enough under- 15 and 16 players, NQU delivered an altered proposal to FQ where players who register with local clubs would pay a levy to be eligible for NQU selection. NQU sent FQ its revised budget yesterday.
Zoo Fitness, Delta Office Solutions and McDonald’s have provided major sponsor- ship, sparing the club from a mooted one- year hiatus.
“It’s been a turbulent couple of weeks for them but they’ve given us comfort around their capacity to deliver, so they’ll compete in the open men’s competition,” FQ chief operating officer Richard Griffiths told the Bulletin last night.
“We’re satisfied the community is satisfied with the program being put in place for the kids, in terms of training support programs. We’ve got confidence they can deliver on a senior men’s team.”
NQU board member Paul Parker acknowledged the responsibility to justify FQ’s show of faith that they will be ready to compete in the NPL in less than two months. FQ had initially suggested NQ take a year to work on its junior base and financial stability, before a possible 2019 return.
“I was confident we’d met the financial criteria, but I was concerned Football Queensland would say we didn’t have enough time,” Parker said.
“We had to put together a revised budget.”
MA Olympic coach Michael Brooks has agreed in principle to replace Shaw as NQU’s head coach, and the club is expected to announce a general manager by Friday.
Brooks had been helping Shaw at training, and offered to take on the role if needed.
Brooks is undertaking a Blevel coaching course required to coach at state level, and will be mentored by experienced local coaches including Bob Parkes and Craig Perfect. NQU is confident stronger ties with the local competition will ensure it boasts a strong side in the NPL next year.
Under a revised system agreed to after NQU initially struggled for junior numbers, players registered with local competitions can force their way into the NQU squad with strong performances.