Talent Development & Identification

SWQ Thunder FC TID Framework Junior Selection Trials Thunder Elevate Program Thunder Accelerate Program Coaching Clinics

SWQ Thunder FC TID Framework

The diagram below shows the talent identification and development (TID) pathways and connections between local community football, school football, SWQ Thunder TID programs, FQ Academy, FQ TID programs, FQPL and NPL competitions.

Our club is committed to developing the capabilities and character of young footballers in our club and those playing football with local and regional community football clubs. We offer football programs for all ages and all stages of development without replicating the work of local community clubs.

Contact the club at swqthunderfc@gmail.com to discuss potential partnership and collaboration opportunities of mutual benefit.

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Junior Selection Trials

In October each year, SWQ Thunder FC conducts selection trials for players wanting to be selected in SWQ Thunder FC FQ Academy teams. These trials are advertised on our social media pages and emailed to all players who have currently or previously played for the Club, or attended a SWQ Thunder FC coaching program.

Talented and/or committed players from these trials and other selection processes may receive a Letter of Offer to join one of the following SWQ Thunder FC programs:

A SWQ Thunder FC FQ Academy team or a SWQ Thunder FC Advanced Community team;
SWQ Thunder FC Elevate program; or
SWQ Thunder FC Accelerate program.

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Thunder Elevate Program

The SWQ Thunder FC Elevate program participants register and play for their local community club and also train one night per week with their respective SWQ Thunder FC FQ Academy team. This program was formerly known as the Advanced Accelerate program.

The aim of Elevate is to build player knowledge and capability with the 4 core skills and the club playing style by training with our FQ Academy players.

Boys and girls from ages 8 - 18 are invited to join in this program. Elevate players are required to purchase and wear SWQ Thunder FC Academy program clothing (the same clothing as our FQ Academy players).

Elevate program participants have enhanced their core skills through this program and this has had a positive impact on their club participation and has enabled them to be more competitive in selection trials for FQ Academy teams.

For any further enquiries, please email either:

Joe Jones, Head of Junior Academy and Individual Development | sap@swqthunder.com; or
James Slater, Director of Junior Football Development | juniorfootball@swqthunder.com

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Thunder Accelerate Program

SWQ Thunder FC Accelerate program participants register and play for their local community club and also train one night per week with SWQ Thunder FC. The aim of this program is to promote a love of football while building the 4 core skills with players.

Players from ages 8 - 13 can register to participate in this programs in Terms 1, 2 and/or 3. Players are required to purchase and wear SWQ Thunder FC Accelerate program clothing.

Many SWQ Thunder FC Accelerate program players have enhanced their core skills through this program and this has had a positive impact on their club participation and has enabled them to be more competitive in selection trials for FQ Academy teams.

For any further enquiries, please email either:

James Slater, Director of Junior Football | juniorfootball@swqthunder.com; or
Joe Jones, Head of Junior Academy and Individual Development | sap@swqthunder.com.

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Coaching Clinics

SWQ Thunder FC conducts a range of coaching clinics during the year in Toowoomba and regional centres. Our club has a strong commitment to developing junior footballers throughout the region by focusing on developing a love of the game and the 4 core skills (striking the ball, first touch, 1 v 1 and running with the ball).

All upcoming coaching clinics are posted to our social media pages in the lead up to the clinics so follow our social media pages to keep an eye on advertising.

Mixed coaching clinics are generally led by Joe Jones, our Head of Junior Academy and Individual Development and supported by our qualified and capable junior coaches.

For mixed coaching clinic enquiries, please email either:

Joe Jones, Head of Junior Academy and Individual Development | sap@swqthunder.com; or
James Slater, Director of Junior Football Development | juniorfootball@swqthunder.com

Girls only coaching clinics are led by Mel Lloyd, our Female Football Director and Senior Women's captain, and long-term Senior Women's player Jess Fry, with the assistance of some our Senior Women's and U23 Women's players. All of our Senior Women and U23 Women who coach at clinics are volunteers and freely give of their time to give back to female football in their region and encourage the next generation of female footballers.

For girls only coaching clinic enquiries, please email either:

Mel Lloyd, Director of Female Football | womensfootball@swqthunder.com; or
Jess Fry, Female Football Coordinator | womensfootball@swqthunder.com.

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Fields

Upcoming

September 2026

October 2026

Talent Development & Identification

SWQ Thunder FC TID Framework

Junior Selection Trials

Thunder Elevate Program

Thunder Accelerate Program

Coaching Clinics

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