The zone is a culmination of antecedent bodies initiating in 1975 as the Gold Coast and District Soccer Association, it has been recognised under various names since.[4] In 2021, as part of Football Queensland reforms, the zone would be known as Football Queensland South Coast.[3] The region has a variety of clubs playing in state competitions. Many of the smaller clubs located within the region act as 'feeder' clubs for those in higher divisions, most notably with NPL Queensland sides Gold Coast United and Gold Coast Knights taking in the South Coast's best footballers. The zone previously encompassed A-League Men side (known at the time as A-League) Gold Coast United. However, the club was omitted from the competition in 2012 following club financial issues.[5]
The organisation was established on 1 October 1975 as the Gold Coast and District Soccer Association when Barry Such, a local referee, conducted an inaugural general meeting, adopting a constitution and electing Jack Woodward, a solicitor based in Coolangatta, as the association's first president.[4] The association administered a top-flight men's football competition and in 1991, it was renamed to the Gold Coast Premier League. Following restructuring within Football Queensland in 2021, the senior men's and women's competitions were renamed and restructured to accommodate a new system of promotion and relegation within the state, allowing local clubs to compete at state level against teams from Brisbane, Darling Downs and the Sunshine Coast.[6][7] As part of the reform process, the organisation sought to focus on improving four key areas of the game: Governance, Administration, Competitions and Affordability. The zone since establishment has focused on fostering and developing young Australians in the sport.
Football Queensland South Coast Community Competitive Senior Leagues (additional amateur divisions)
Not Applicable
Women's Pyramid
The Football Queensland Women's Premier League 3 − South Coast competition is the fourth tier in the Football Queensland pyramid and the fifth tier in the Australian pyramid. Each respective competition has its own reserve league primarily for senior academy players.[10]
Tier
Competition
Current Premiers
Current Champions
1
Football Queensland Women's Premier League 3 − South Coast (FQPL 3 − South Coast)
(Premiers qualify for play-offs for promotion to FQPL 2, Bottom team relegated)
Surfers Paradise Apollo
Surfers Paradise Apollo
2−
Football Queensland South Coast Community Competitive Senior Leagues (additional amateur divisions)
^College established in 1983, unclear when soccer was implemented at the college and associated with Football Gold Coast
^College established in 1901, unclear when soccer and association with Football Gold Coast began
^Murwillumbah Saints was an amalgamation of Murwillumbah Wanderers, Murwillumbah United and Murwillumbah City.
^Twin Towns left the State League and joined the Gold Coast 1st Division in 1983 and remained there until 1990 when they relocated to Tugun before losing their name a year later (1991).
