Thunder Rolling Into Kingaroy
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Albert Perez
SWQ Thunder are taking PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s football to its wide catchment with this week’s game in Kingaroy.
Thunder Women, who have notched three wins in five matches this season, are making the two-hour trip north to meet Sunshine Coast FC Women at Tom Alford Oval, home of local community club Kingaroy Senior Soccer Club.
One of Kingaroy’s most famous exports, Ryan Ensor, broke into the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues with Thunder before being picked up by Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets.
Thunder Chairman Jon Haynes believes taking matches to the regions is an opportunity to pay tribute to the grassroots production of players that feeds Queensland's talented player pathway.
“It’s a way of recognising those players and that there is a lot of football talent that has come from this region over the years,” Haynes said.
“The South Burnett-Kingaroy region has historically provided a lot of players to our club. We’ve got a number of players at the moment that come from Kingaroy.”
“Those kids I think spend 10,000 kilometres a year in the car just to play NPL football. It’s a good opportunity to recognise that fact as well.”
Thunder Women are on a four-match unbeaten run heading into Sunday’s match, which Haynes says is an important part of the club’s community engagement initiative.
“I think we’re a little bit unique as an NPL club because we’re representing the South West region,” he said.
“We have areas like Stanthorpe and Warwick as well, large regional centres that are in our catchment area.”
“It was something we discussed at the start of this year, getting out to some of these regional areas and to showcase the game and take high-level football out there.”
Kingaroy Senior Soccer Club President Rob Firman is looking forward to strengthening the relationship between the two clubs.
“Obviously we’re having this game on the weekend and then we’ve got a number of our players, boys and girls, who travel down there,” Firman said.
“It’s very exciting. We’re all ready for them, the fields are all ready to go,” he concluded.
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women's 2016 - Round 7
Sunday, April 24
SWQ Thunder FC Women v Sunshine Coast FC Women
Tom Alford Oval, Kingaroy
Kick-off at 1:00PM
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