JACOB “Bulla” Minett had to leave Lions FC as a teenager to pursue the next level of football, but the former Western Pride championship winner is now back to help create those opportunities at the club where his own journey began.
Appointed as Lions’ technical director for 2027, Minett officially began the role last month after five seasons representing its NPL men and working within the coaching team since 2020.
“It means a lot, being my junior club and coming back from Western Pride and being able to work within the technical staff,” Minett said.
“It’s important that we can shape the future of the club, both in the boys and the girls space.”
His love of football started in the playground at Forest Lake State School before he joined Lions and progressed into its development squad.
He hoped to stay, but when the club did not enter the National Premier Leagues youth competition, he moved to Olympic FC in under-16s to pursue a higher level of competition.
Progressing into Olympic’s first team before joining Western Pride, he was part of the side that won the 2017 NPL Queensland grand final.
That achievement remains a strong connection to Ipswich, where his appointment has been welcomed by Ipswich City Councillor and former football administrator Pye Augustine.
“A huge congratulations to Jacob ‘Bulla’ Minett on his role with Lions FC as the club prepares for its Championship League clash against South Hobart FC,” Cr Augustine said.
Since returning to Lions, Minett has become increasingly involved in coaching and individual player development, with involvement this year with the National Championships and Emerging Socceroos programs, alongside his work across its boys’ and girls’ academies.
He succeeds Gabriel Hawash, with the pair working together during the handover to maintain continuity across the football program.
Minett inherits a club he believes is well placed to keep developing players, following a four-trophy season for the senior men and strong competition across the youth teams.
“You couldn’t write a better season for the men’s team,” he said. “Across the whole club, we’re in a really, really healthy spot.”
The challenge is to ensure young players have opportunities to contribute to that success, with Minett saying eight players made their men’s first-team debuts this year, while 15 players from Lions’ FQ Academy 3 program secured places in its FQ Academy 1 program for 2027.
He welcomed Campbell Hurry’s appointment as technical director at Ipswich FC and said discussions were already taking place with those involved in the local female football program.
The connections also extend into schools, with Minett estimating about 25 players in the Lions boys’ program attend Ipswich Grammar School.
Minnett is encouraged by the talent emerging across South East Queensland and wants academy graduates to make up as much of Lions’ senior teams as possible in 2027.
Having experienced the demands of senior football himself, Minett looks beyond a young player’s ability with the ball when assessing whether they are ready to make that step.
