Carnes backs reforms as good for the game

FOOTBALL Queensland North boss Declan Carnes has backed major reforms which he believes will bring the game into the 21st century, while a new premier league structure will be revealed.

The Future of Football 2020+ reforms were passed at a historic extraordinary general meeting at the weekend.

All 11 resolutions tabled at the meeting were passed with at least 90 per cent of the vote. FQ North was the only association to vote against four of the resolutions.

The reforms will change the way the game is governed across the state, bringing the 10 member regions under one governance. It will centralise the operation of football in Queensland and allow for more seamless commercial arrangements at the state level.

Carnes believes that streamlined model will provide more opportunity and affordability at the local level.

“As I said to the clubs in North Queensland, it is time to commercialise the game and bring forward the opportunities under the One Football model, which will include the women’s FIFA World Cup in 2023,” he said.

“It won’t have too much of an impact on the field at the local level. Maybe when the FQPL is introduced in 2022.

But for now, it will be business as usual.”

It is understood the final structure of the FQPL will be unveiled on Tuesday and incorporate a Champions League style in which the top teams from the Northern Conference, Central Conference and Southern Conference would meet in a Champion of Champions series.

Premier League reserve grade sides will also make the transition to an under-23 model from 2022 and have a restricted number of over-age players in each squad.

Under the reforms, the Football North Queensland board will be dissolved, while the clubs will vote in a committee of directors that will report directly to FQ.

It is understood Carnes has also signed a contract to join Football Queensland in a management position that will look after the entire northern region.

Carnes praised his Football North Queensland board, which has helped create a stable and profitable game in the region in recent years.

“This is absolutely a positive move for the game,” he said. “It is difficult accepting change and the board has done a great job to date, but I think it is time to move forward and look at every opportunity from a One Football perspective.”

Football Australia CEO James Johnson praised Football Queensland after the reforms were passed.

“Football Queensland has recognised the need to review and modernise its structures so that it can better meet the challenges of modern-day football and deliver the game more effectively and with greater impact for all participants in Queensland,” Johnson said.

“This is a significant milestone for football in Queensland and we look forward to seeing the continued growth in the game across the state.”

It is understood the reforms are viewed as a trial run before being implemented nationwide.