Tag: The Gap FC

The Gap FC Join Record Kappa Queensland Cup Field

Photo Credit: The Gap Football

The Gap FC will line up in the largest-ever Kappa Queensland Cup in 2026, with opening-round fixtures now confirmed across Queensland.

Read: PCYC Queensland Takes Over Learn-to-Swim School at The Gap

Organised by Football Queensland, the statewide knockout tournament has expanded to a record 307 teams competing across Men’s, Women’s, Under-18 Boys and Under-18 Girls divisions.

From the official draw, The Gap FC will meet Caboolture Sports FC in the Under-18 Boys Round of 32, with progression setting up a Round of 16 clash against the winner of Logan Lightning/North Star and Brighton Bulldogs. In the Under-18 Girls competition, The Gap receives a Round of 32 bye and moves directly into the Round of 16, where they are scheduled to play the winner of Wynnum Wolves and Logan Lightning.

The Kappa Queensland Cup uses a straight knockout format, creating high-stakes matches from the opening rounds. For youth squads especially, it provides valuable experience beyond regular league fixtures, exposing players to unfamiliar opponents and win-or-go-home scenarios.

For clubs like The Gap FC, the tournament supports player development pathways by giving emerging footballers meaningful competitive minutes under pressure. Coaches often use Cup matches to rotate squads, test combinations and accelerate junior progression.

With fixtures running alongside the regular season, supporters can track both league and Cup journeys, with the potential for home knockout ties later in the draw if hosting rights fall The Gap’s way. The expanded 2026 field reflects continued growth in participation and interest in statewide knockout football.

Read: Benjamina Place Park: The Spot That Inspired Bluey’s ‘Turtleboy’

Published 30-Jan-2026

The Gap FC Product Sharn Freier Makes Bundesliga Move to VfL Wolfsburg

Rising Matildas forward Sharn Freier, who was scouted by the Brisbane Roar from The Gap FC, is rewriting Australian football history as she prepares for a landmark move to German giants VfL Wolfsburg, with a deal that will keep her at the Bundesliga club until mid-2028, under what is reported to be a club record transfer fee for the Queensland outfit.

Read: Tony Cooper’s Journey: From The Gap to a Legacy of Colour and Healing

A Product of The Gap FC

Her journey to European football began on Brisbane’s northside, where Freier first laced up her boots for Pine Rivers United alongside twin sister Laini. She later shone at The Gap FC, catching the attention of Brisbane Roar scouts and kickstarting her professional career.

The 23-year-old’s remarkable rise hasn’t come without challenges. After an ACL injury sidelined her for a year, Freier’s determination saw her return stronger than ever, culminating in a stellar 2023–24 season. She swept every major club award at Brisbane Roar, including the prestigious Kate McShea Medal for Player of the Year.

Sharn Freier, the Matildas’ Future

Freier’s domestic form translated to international success, earning her first Matildas cap against Mexico last April. Her rapid progression also saw her represent Australia at the 2024 Olympics, where she faced Germany—her future home at the club level—in a memorable match.

“They are a very successful club with class players, so to be given the opportunity to be a part of something like that, I am extremely grateful,” Freier shared about her upcoming move to Wolfsburg. Her new club’s director of women’s football, Ralf Kellermann, also praised the Australian forward, noting her consistent performances at both club and international levels.

Read: Saving Wattle Creek: Community Unites to Revive The Gap Rainforest

A Talisman for the Roar

While preparing for her European adventure, Freier continues to shine in the current A-League season. She has already contributed two goals and four assists in the Roar’s chase for the premiership, with three of those assists setting up goals for her twin sister Laini. Her impending departure marks the end of an era at Brisbane Roar, where she has made 57 appearances since her debut in December 2020.

The forward will remain with Roar until the conclusion of the 2024–25 Ninja Women’s A-League season, giving local fans a few more months to witness the talents that caught the attention of one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.

Published 23-January-2025