Northern Rivers Football Announces Arrival with State Championship
Northern Rivers Football has firmly established itself as one of regional Queensland and northern New South Wales’ emerging football development programs after an outstanding performance at the 2026 StepOut Football Queensland Academy State Championships.
Competing against Queensland’s most established academy clubs, Northern Rivers Football returned home with a state championship title, a third-place finish and two additional top-10 placings, despite receiving an invitation to the prestigious tournament with only two weeks to prepare.
Held over five days at the South Pine Sports Complex and Moreton Bay Sports Complex, the championships featured 87 teams representing 39 academy clubs, showcasing many of Queensland’s most promising young footballers. Northern Rivers Football entered four representative teams, each producing impressive performances throughout the tournament.
Leading the way were the Under-17 Girls, who claimed the 2026 Football Queensland Academy State Championship in emphatic fashion. The side displayed exceptional attacking football while conceding just one goal across six matches. Their success reflected years of dedication, with many players regularly challenging themselves by competing in older age groups and boys’ competitions to accelerate their development.
The Under-15 Girls also enjoyed a remarkable campaign, securing third place in Queensland. Featuring players aged between 12 and 15, the squad overcame its limited preparation time through determination, resilience and disciplined football to finish among the state’s elite teams.
Northern Rivers’ boys also demonstrated the strength of the region’s development pathway. The Under-16 Boys finished sixth overall after matching it with some of Queensland’s strongest academy programs, while the Under-15 Boys earned a top-10 finish despite assembling their squad little more than a week before the competition. The younger side included six players from the Under-13 and Under-14 age groups, highlighting the depth of emerging talent.
Head of Football James Rowe said the performances demonstrated that Northern Rivers players belong on the state’s biggest stage and reflected the continued growth of football across the region. The results underline the strength of the club’s development pathway and reinforce the Northern Rivers’ growing reputation for producing talented footballers capable of competing with the very best in Queensland.
