Arabic version: أندية كوينزلاند تعترض على تغييرات رسوم كرة القدم

According to ABC News, more than 100 Queensland football clubs have called on Football Queensland to be more transparent about planned player registration fee changes for 2027. In a group statement, the clubs asked the governing body to pause its new Competition Access Fee, saying higher costs could make the sport unaffordable for families.

Wynnum Wolves Football Club president Rabieh Krayem wrote to Football Queensland on behalf of 71 clubs, describing the proposed model as a “serious shock to clubs across Queensland”. He said his application of the new fees to the Wynnum club indicated charges from the governing body would rise 64.6 per cent in 2027.

Mr Krayem said clubs could not absorb an increase of that size and would pass additional Football Queensland costs to players and parents through higher registration fees. He warned that families registering multiple players, or facing cost-of-living pressures, could decide football was no longer affordable, with potentially significant consequences for participation in 2027.

Football Queensland disputed claims that player fees had dramatically increased. A spokesperson said its illustrative modelling showed that when clubs directly pass on the Competition Access Fee, the total paid by a participant would be broadly comparable with 2026. The body said inflation-adjusted changes within the fee were less than $10 per person.

Football Queensland’s modelling put total senior-player fees at $1,417.26 in 2026 and $1,415.88 in 2027 after fees are consolidated into the new Competition Access Fee. The spokesperson said 90 to 97 per cent of participant fees are received by clubs rather than Football Queensland, and said the new structure would reduce administrative complexity and transaction volumes. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said sporting governing bodies should lower costs for families to help more children take part in sport.