Heat Strengthen Community Ties
Words: Staff Writers
Image: FNQ FC Heat
Young Far North Queensland footballers are enjoying brighter prospects after FNQ Heat committed to further strengthening their development pathway.
The Tablelands Junior Soccer Association (TJSA) recently welcomed Heat’s Academy to Atherton International Club as part of a junior carnival that also involved community clubs from the region.
TJSA President Lachlan Peden praised the opportunities afforded to local youngsters to compete against Heat Academy, which provides a pathway to Heat's PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Senior Men's side as well as competing in the Frank Farina Cup against other elite regional clubs.
“We really wanted to support FNQ Heat by giving them a chance to play quality games against our Tablelands sides,” Peden said.
“We see Heat as a genuine player development pathway for all kids in our region but unfortunately our kids are not always able to commit to the travel and expense of being part of the Heat set-up."
“This weekend gave us an opportunity to show what our kids are capable of and get them in front of the Heat coaches."
“We are very appreciative of the Heat supporting our region by agreeing to come and play us,” Peden concluded.
The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland club also conducted a grassroots coaching course on the day with local community coaches, improving the consistency of education.
Heat Technical Director Chris Collins commended the event as beneficial for all parties involved.
“For me the weekend was a roaring success with more than a dozen new coaches doing the course and a series of challenging junior games that were all played in the right spirit and manner,” Collins said.
Collins added, “Heat has a clear development philosophy in line with the Football Federation of Australia coaching guidelines."
“It’s great to see the Tablelands also working in the same direction which can only be a good thing for football up here.”
Peden stated he hopes to build on the success by offering further quality games for the Tablelands sides against Heat and others throughout the rest of the season.
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