“IT’S all about providing more for the kids.”
That’s what Western Pride Football Club head honcho Pat Boyle says about the merger of his club with the Ipswich City Bulls for form Ipswich FC. With football ever more popular among youngsters,
particularly among those choosing a sport to participate in for the first time, the time was ripe to create a stronger organisation that could bolster the pathways for development open to them.
Mr Boyle said, “It brings together two clubs that are offering the same service to the community. We compete for the same volunteers, the same coaches, the same sponsorship dollars. Together we can provide a program for all levels of ability.”
The merger officially happens on 1 January 2024, and teams will play the 2024 season under the new brand. Both clubs’ facilities will be used but the combined membership and resources of the new club will allow strengthening of the already strong development pathways.
Asked how the idea to merge had come about, Mr Boyle said, “There’s been a conversation by both clubs and lots of people working together to create sustainable business plans.”
There’s a need in Ipswich for stronger youth football. Mr Boyle noted that the recent World Cup had given football a boost, although this was much more visible in the younger kids.
Football Queensland has been supportive of the merger with its CEO Robert Cavalluci saying that it had worked closely with the two clubs.
Mr Cavalluci congratulated the two teams and claimed the merger would bring huge benefits to both the club and the broader football community.
