FNQ FC Heat Chairman Adam Garnett says the recently announced Frank Farina Shield will further strengthen the National Premier Leagues Queensland pathway in the state’s most northern regions.

The shield, which will be contested twice a year between NPL teams from the Cairns-based Heat and Townsville’s Northern Fury, is intended to add an extra incentive to the already healthy rivalry between the two tropical Queensland locales.

The outcome of all matches between the club’s junior, youth and senior NPL teams will be tallied to determine which club takes home the silverware on the opening weekend of March.

Garnett said it was encouraging to see Frank Farina, who played junior football in North Queensland before progressing to the highest levels in Europe and with the Socceroos, lend his name and support to the NPL concept in the northern regions.

“It’s something the clubs tentatively looked at last year and certainly we’re really happy it’s been able to get off the ground now,” Garnett explained.

“To have somebody of the stature of Frank Farina really embrace the concept, it really gives back to the part of the world where he started in the game.”

“I know Frank is very committed to having those pathways established as an important part of the structures of football.”

Garnett said the development of the junior team’s tied-in with the high-profile senior match-up between the rival clubs and will further strengthen the NPL elite player pathway.

“The whole concept of the NPL is much greater than just the fortunes of the senior men’s teams.”

“When we go down to the Fury, or when they come up here, we’ll bring all our squads from Under 12’s upwards, boys and girls, through to the senior men’s NPL teams and it will count equally towards a total points to decide the winner of the shield.”

Garnett emphasised that while Heat’s junior focus remains squarely on technical development, it is impossible to deny the rivalry that exists between Cairns and Townsville.

“The primary purpose of the NPL junior programme is about technical development for the boys and girls in those teams.”

“But you will not be able to put a football shirt on a kid from Cairns and a kid from Townsville and not have them playing to win.”

“It’s intense when we play each other in basketball and rugby league and has been in football as well with the local club champions playing an inter-city playoff for many, many years.”

“The Frank Farina Shield will just add to that rivalry,” Garnett assured.

To reinforce the all-pervading nature of the Cairns-Townsille rivalry, Garnett couldn’t resist the chance to remind both clubs of the results from last season’s senior men’s fixtures.

“The NPL kicked off with Heat hosting the Fury here and it couldn’t have been a better start for us where we dominated them 4-1.”

“We drew in the return leg down there, so we’re still undefeated (against Fury) in the senior men’s and we’re looking forward to continuing that record,” he stated confidently.

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
Image: FNQ FC Heat