The announcement includes money to assist junior coaching, a new, elite junior competition and an expanded state cup which will include Queensland Roar and state academy players.

Football Queensland president Dennis O’Brien said the sport was booming in the Sunshine State, enjoying 25 per cent more participants than any other code of football played in Queensland.

“We’ve achieved much in recent years with the outstanding support of the Queensland Government and thousands of volunteers and our initiatives - the Red Kits, the Rebel Sport Junior Premier League, and the Men’s State League - set 2008 to be the most exciting and significant year in the history of football in Queensland,” said O'Brien.

The Red Kits program will see each of the state's 5,774 junior coaches provided with training equipment including footballs, bibs and markers.

And commencing in 2008, the Rebel Sport Junior Premier League will see Queensland’s elite juniors competing against each other on a weekly basis during the regular winter season.

Queensland Academy of Sport Head Coach Mike Mulvey said the junior premier league would strengthen the pool of junior talent coming out of Queensland.

“We know we must improve the technical qualities of our young players and this new Football Queensland development will help provide an environment for these players to maximise their potential,” Mr Mulvey said.

And kicking off on October 20, the 2007 State Cup will will also see the introduction of the Presidents 11, comprising QAS State Institute and Queensland Roar players.

Football Queensland has signed up a number of sponsors - such as Red Rooster, RACQ Insurance and Rebel Sport - to assist them in funding these grassroots initiatives.