‘Delayed approvals’ thwart soccer school

THE man behind a controversial elite soccer academy insists the school is on track to open on the Gold Coast in 2020, despite still waiting for State Government and city council approval.

Queensland Football School director Martin Calvert broke his silence on Facebook yesterday, six weeks after angry parents forked out $150 each for their children to trial for a place in the academy.

On Saturday, the Bulletin revealed former Kimberley College director Kevin Ferguson was spruiking the school in June, three months before he was charged over a $4.6 million embezzlement scheme. As detailed in the Bulletin article, Mr Calvert yesterday wrote that Mr Ferguson was not an employee or director of the school.

However, he did not deny that Mr Ferguson had met with Gold Coast City councillor Bob La Castra in June and failed to respond to further Bulletin questions.

In his post, his first in two months, Mr Calvert blamed his failure to communicate with parents on Gold Coast City Council.

Mr Calvert had told parents this year that the school would cater for students from years 4-12 with a focus on football training and development, all for a fee of $5000 a year.

Mr Calvert said he had planned to open the school at the Italo-Australian Club at Clear Island Waters, but had made the announcement to parents days before any application was submitted to the State Education Department. Approval is pending.

“The delay in communication is owing to the Gold Coast council advising us of additional requirements needed due to flood zoning of the land at 18 Fairway Drive,” he wrote. “It is for this reason that enrolments have not been offered as we are yet to finalise how many students we can accommodate.”

Mr Calvert also said the school would open later than January 28, the date previously advertised.

The school’s official website is advertising positions for key staff including a chief executive office, a dean of academics, teachers and board members.

“Amended applications to the Gold Coast council and the Non-State School Accreditation Board will be submitted, which therefore delays our school opening date until later in the 2020 school year. Further information will be provided to parents privately.

“In response to the recent article in the Gold Coast Bulletin, I can confirm that Kevin Ferguson has not ever been employed by Queensland Football School or acted in the role of director at the school.”

The QFS board is made up of three people – Mr Calvert, Bradley Quinn and Forbes Madau.

Parents who had written to the school about its opening said they had seen the statement but were awaiting a response from Mr Calvert.

Mr Ferguson has deleted his personal Facebook page since the Bulletin story was released.