Queensland Touch Football (QTF) is proud to unveil a refreshed structure for its Q Youth Academy (QYA) – a talent pathway camp designed to support the next generation of players, coaches, and referees across the state.
This unified framework brings together our Rising Stars (U14), including welcoming the Dolphins as a new NRL-aligned team, joining the Broncos, Cowboys, and Titans, and introduces our Future Maroons (U16) program. These changes reflect QTF’s commitment to creating a more connected and transparent pathway from grassroots participation to talent pathway.
A Pathway Built on Insight
The restructure follows recommendations from the independent Talent Pathways Review conducted by McLaughlin Sports Consultancy to deliver a framework that’s not only clearer but also more inclusive and aligned across all roles in the game: player, coach and referee.
Under the new format, Rising Stars teams – four boys’ and four girls’ squads – will be selected from the U14 division at the National Youth Championships, each representing one of the four NRL-aligned teams. The Future Maroons program builds on this foundation, selecting two squads of 32 players boys and girls selected from the U16 players at the National Youth Championships for advanced skill development, performance education, and leadership training.
Referees Join the Journey
Referees are now fully integrated into the QYA experience. The former JETS program has evolved to be fully aligned to QYA, with young officials aged 14–18 selected through talent identification and mentored alongside their player and coach peers.
What’s Next?
QTF is also developing a new performance-level program to bridge the gap between youth representation and State of Origin. While details are still under wraps, the initiative marks a bold step forward in Queensland’s long-term talent strategy.
Save the Date: 2026 Q Youth Academy
The next Q Youth Academy event will be held from 14 – 16 February 2026 at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay, thanks to the support of City of Gold Coast. The event will bring together selected players, coaches, and referees for a weekend of training, development, and connection.
For more information on the Q Youth Academy and its updated structure, visit: qldtouch.com.au/q-youth-academy.
