North Queensland entry to National Youth League deferred

Consideration of a North Queensland team, based in Townsville, competing in the National Youth League has been deferred for the 2011/12 season, Football Queensland and Football Federation Australia have announced today.

Consideration of a North Queensland team, based in Townsville, competing in the National Youth League has been deferred for the 2011/12 season, Football Queensland and Football Federation Australia have announced today.

Football Queensland CEO Geoff Foster said: “The idea has always had merit, which is why we have spent time and effort on the project, but it-s a mountain too high for us to climb at this time.

“We can re-visit the National Youth League idea in the future, but for now Football Queensland-s efforts will focus on the Hyundai Queensland State League as the critical platform in the elite player pathway for Northern Queensland.”

Head of Hyundai A League, Lyall Gorman, said the decision to defer is consistent with the Strategic Review of the national competition.

“Our key objective for next season is to consolidate a sustainable model around our existing 10 Hyundai A-League clubs and the affiliated National Youth League,” said Lyall Gorman.

“In that context, consideration of a new youth team for Northern Queensland has been put on hold for now, but we will continue to contemplate such options with Football Queensland in the years ahead.”