Words: Staff Writers
Image: Paul Smith/SWQ Thunder

The Football Queensland Board has confirmed there will be no change to the number of PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Men’s licenses for the next two seasons.

A board review determined the number of participating clubs will remain at 12 (Brisbane Roar FC operates under a Memorandum of Understanding) until the end of the 2017 season.

The decision was taken in the interest of competition stability and ensuring the continued development of existing PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs’ junior and senior programs.

The review came after representatives from both metropolitan and regional areas expressed interest in gaining admission to the state-wide competition, which is the second tier of the sport in Queensland beneath the Hyundai A-League.

While the 12 competing clubs remain unchanged for the next two seasons, the process to examine future expansion opportunities begins now with a view to a further announcement well in advance of the 2018 season.

Nine Queensland cities are currently represented in the competition - four in Brisbane and one each in Ipswich, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay Region, Redland City, Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns.

Further specifics of divisional structures across the competition’s age groups will be considered in consultation with participating clubs and announced in the coming weeks.

Football Queensland Chief Operating Officer Graham Lee said the state governing body’s priority is to ensure the long-term viability of the competition for both existing and potential licence holders.

“Football Queensland is grateful for all input and expressions of interest received as part of the review into the competition structure of the National Premier Leagues Queensland,” Mr Lee said.

“We are encouraged by the performance of key indicators over the first three seasons including the level of interest from entities seeking to gain admission to the competition.

“However, Football Queensland believes the competition will be in a stronger position to reconsider any potential changes to the number of licences at the conclusion of the initial five-year licence period.

“It is well known that many of the current clubs were formed specifically for the National Premier Leagues and it is important that their belief and vision is provided the best opportunity to solidify over the next two seasons.”