New era as Northern Rivers Football Club joins Queensland league

THE Northern Rivers Football Club is breaking ground for local players to compete at a higher level by entering a men’s squad in the Football Queensland Premier League this season.

It aims to keep players engaged locally and provide elite pathway opportunities close to home, with a long-term goal to compete against the top clubs over the border.

The club has a reputation for delivering high-performance training and development opportunities for junior players and coaches across the region.

It could be a watershed moment for the game locally, with men’s players joining from the Football Far North Coast premier league competition.

They will add experience to the team with the key target being a development group of players from the age of 18 to 25.

Northern Rivers Football technical director Gavin Whitney oversees the program, with about 32 men joining the 280 juniors in the club.

“This has been in the works for a few years now and it’s chance for our men to play at a higher level,” Whitney said.

“Geographically we can’t compete in the Northern NSW competition because it’s a seven-hour drive to Newcastle.

“We’ve worked with them and they’ve given us permission to play in competitions outside of NSW.

“A lot of time players have had to move away or travel for these opportunities; they end up burnt out not wanting to play any more.”

The club has a long-term plan and vision for the team to jump from FQPL4 to the top division.

The men’s squad of 32 will be led by Bangalow’s Joel Rudgely, who has won multiple men’s premier league titles on the Far North Coast.

A core group of players from Bangalow, Lennox Head, Lismore and Mullumbimby Brunswick have committed for the inaugural season.

“These guys will be trailblazers and it’s the chance to be part of something special,” Rudgley said.

“Hopefully we can look back in 10 years and be proud that we were part of the first group that helped grow the game and took it to the next level.”

The men will kick-off their season at home on March 21 and hope they can attract sponsorship and crowd support from the football community around the region.

The Northern Rivers women’s team will continue competing in the FQPL3 division for a third consecutive year.

The side, largely made up of teenage players, narrowly missed finals last season and represents another key development pathway for local talent.