Following a meeting in Brisbane on 9 October hosted by Football Queensland (FQ), three Regions in the State who missed out on an APL license have been thrown a lifeline.
 
FQ CEO Geoff Foster said that "Football Queensland acknowledge that these three areas have traditionally been key strategic areas for our sport and we always hoped to create advanced player pathways which are State Wide. Sunday’s meeting was productive with all three Clubs putting forward compelling arguments supporting their inclusion as invitees into the Under 12 to Under 20 APL competition."

Three Clubs (Mackay Crusaders, South West Thunder and Wide Bay Revolution) will be created to service the needs of the advanced players within their footprint with the view of developing a business solution that will see them making application for a full licence as soon as that window opens.

Foster said "there is no immediate timeline to grow the APL, but we expect to see growth opportunities in season three or four. In the meantime, my recommendation to the Board will be they are permitted to participate as guests into the League, thereby affording the same opportunities for identification to higher levels as the licensees."

The Clubs will be expected to satisfy the same very high level coaching criteria as the Licensees and be expected to become mentors to the community clubs within their footprint.

A meeting will be called shortly to discuss the competition make up including travel provisions. A new under twenty league will allow clubs to progress the under nineteen squads who previously played in the JPL under management of the Zones, and progress to create a talented nucleus for creation of an open team in a few years time.