Queensland football clubs seek pause on new registration fee model

More than 100 Queensland football clubs are seeking a halt to Football Queensland's new Competition Access Fee, warning that higher registration costs could put participation beyond some families' budgets. The clubs also want greater transparency around decisions on fees.

Wynnum Wolves Football Club president Rabieh Krayem wrote to the governing body on behalf of 71 clubs. His calculations put the increase in Football Queensland charges for his club at 64.6 per cent in 2027 under the new model.

Krayem said clubs could not absorb that additional expense and would pass it on through player registration charges. He sought a detailed justification for the costs and warned that families, especially those with several players, might stop participating.

Football Queensland rejected claims of steep increases and said its fees were the lowest nationally. It said inflation-adjusted changes under the new structure amounted to less than A$10 per person. Its modelling put a senior player's total fees at A$1,417.26 in 2026 and A$1,415.88 in 2027 after consolidation.

The governing body said clubs received between 90 per cent and 97 per cent of participants' fees, and that the revised system would simplify administration and reduce transaction volumes.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged sporting administrators to reduce costs for families to help more children take part.