As you will know, our beloved Regional Development Officer, Joe Fenech, is assuming the new mantle of Technical Director for the Central Queensland Football Club with his tenure as the Regional Development Officer officially ending on 31 December. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge what he has done over the last 12 months.

Joe's passion for the game, and his job, has been extraordinary. He has constantly gone above and beyond what has been expected and nearly always done things with a smile on his face. I say nearly because sometimes he had to make some tough calls along the way, which is never a happy experience. He has been to every corner of our large region and just about every club or association; taking coaching sessions, talking to coaches and parents and encouraging kids to keep trying, all the while spreading the message that there is great potential in the region, but we need to improve in areas of coach education and have a clear pathway for elite player development.

The good news is that the region is not losing Joe, he is just being rebranded! His commitment to the game in the region will not diminish, he will just be working under the Central Queensland Football Club banner.

It has been a delight to work directly with Joe, so on behalf of the staff of Football CQ, I want to thank Joe for everything he has contributed to football in the region over the past year and wish him, and the Central Queensland Football Club, all the best for their future endeavours.