Dear Members,

Given the changes over the last three months at Redlands United FC, we would like to share some of the positive steps that have been taken.

We will take a moment to acknowledge every past board member and staff member who has given it their all throughout our 106-year history to date.

We as a committee, have embraced the commitment required, and appreciate the effort of all those before us.

From here, it’s time to take a look forward with positivity and excitement!

The committee came in with the ambition to engage and connect with each and every one of you – from the life members to the Little Devils and EVERYONE in between.

That’s the intent, and we want you to know that the “door is always open” if you want to dial in and connect in any way.

We believe that if we can truly engage and connect, then together, we will see a Redlands United – a club much greater than the sum of its parts.

Moving forward, this spirit of engagement and connection, will also be demanded from each and every paid staff member.

A summary of things that are happening in the football department

• First Team – Garrett and Jayce are unbelievably organized with the first team almost completely in shape and ready to rip into 2025.
• Under 23 Team – Garrett and Jayce are taking the lead in taking this group forward and putting a structure in place that will appropriately connect the U23’s with the senior team – we hope to be announcing our 23s coach shortly.
• The Academy Coaching group – is just about finalised. We have committed to giving this group of experienced coaches all the support and appreciation they need going forward into season 2025.
• Emilie Rochelet – one of our most senior coaches, is running an FQ C License starting this weekend at the club. Where we will hopefully see some new and exciting coaching talent entering the RUFC coaching ranks.
• Football Queensland – we have spoken to the State Technical director to confirm our tier 1 Academy League status. Again, thank you to Graham Harvey and the coaching staff securing this great achievement
• New TD – Working within a timeline, we will begin a recruitment process to find a technically capable professional who will embrace the FQ definition of what a technical director should look like.
• Academy Teams – most teams have just about taken shape as we go into the last session of trials tomorrow. Where the coaches will be given the last look at how they want to finalize their playing rosters for 2025.
• Reds Trials – are under way and will begin in earnest in the new week.
• And for the rest of the teams – plans are starting to take place, so we can hit the ground running in 2025.

Around the club in general

• Cav (Andrew Cavel)l – our new General Manager is starting to connect the club in so many different ways – he is truly the “hub” of the wheel and already proving to be someone who will help bring us all together.
• Football Administrator – we now trialing a candidate with Football Administration experience in the role of Football Administrator – to look after the football related administration.
• Ray Gardner – has committed to another year of his presence at the club, providing endless quality photos while sharing his passion for the club and its history.
• Uniform Volunteer Group – now numbers 8 parents who have been helping with uniforms and met last night
• Our Wellness Sub Committee – now numbers 6, including 3 Wellness Officers, Child Safety Officer and 2 Member Protection Officers – we will introduce these people soon and the idea of how this subcommittee will benefit the community.
• Our Fund-Raising Working Group – now numbers 7, with ambitious plans to expand and generate extra revenue through a diverse range of innovative strategies.
• A Grants Writing Consultant – has been enlisted, and we have 3 members within the club who are advising us in this area.
• Sponsors – we are looking at all sponsorship options, but in talks with a major sponsor who we hope to announce in the coming weeks.
• Meetings with all levels of government have happened – the groundwork is being laid for accessing the funds to help take our club and facilities forward.
• Digital Marketing and Social Media – we are in talks with a local digital marketing firm to help go another level in managing the public face of the club.

Behind the scenes, there are many more things underway.

Most of which are on the back of listening to your feedback in the member survey – and from what we hear listening to you the stakeholders.

In closing for now…

It’s worth noting that any volunteer’s role at a football club is not a paid position in any way.

Some of these roles end up being full-time roles or close to it.

So, it’s obviously not for the money that people volunteer, they do it for some other reason.

In many cases, it’s just because they love the community and adventure that football can bring – and think they can make a positive impact.

We look forward to sharing the next chapter with you all.

Kindest of Regards,

Mark Thiganoff, Glen Edwards, John Quigley, Barry Hart, Andrew Marsh and Bennett Pieper