Queensland Theatre Company calls for tomorrow’s talent, today!

Find and foster’ at the heart of new development program.

Following the launch of Season 2012 on the weekend, Queensland Theatre Company is calling for tomorrow’s talent, today, with the announcement of the inaugural QTC Youth Ensemble Program and a call for auditions.

The QTC Youth Ensemble is a year-long program, created by QTC Artistic Director Wesley Enoch, to find and foster Queensland’s stage stars of the future, focusing on nurturing the talents of Queensland’s high school students.

Audition applications close on January 8, 2012, with only 40 students to be selected for the program, one which will parallel QTC’s mainstage program, and will result in two productions during the year, to be staged as part of the GreenHouse program.

“Queensland is a fertile land for artistic talent…we have wonderful musicians, poets, writers, dancers and actors all over our state, some already celebrated and working across the globe but the vast majority are sitting in classrooms dreaming of their futures.” Wesley said.

“The QTC Youth Ensemble is our way to find and foster the future of Queensland’s acting talent. It’s unique as it supports actors from a young age and sets them up for their future and ours.” Wesley Said.

As well as receiving invaluable guidance from some of Australia’s most respected theatre professionals, the young people chosen will perform in two productions in July and again in September– staged as part of the QTC’s GreenHouse Program for 2012.

Next year the Bille Brown Studio will morph into The GreenHouse – an incubator of art, ideas and exploration representing the next stage of QTC’s 2011 Studio Season. “The GreenHouse will spring to life in May, July and October with performances, forums, workshops and creative developments, and will be home to an artists’ lounge, giving audiences and performers the chance to meet, talk and hear live music,” said Wesley. “It will also be the home of the QTC Youth Ensemble.”

Audition applications close on January 8, 2012 with the program being run after school and on weekends so not to disturb high school curriculums. Cost will be $400 per term for juniors (grades 9 and 10) and $500 for seniors (grades 11 and 12) with scholarships for the entire year available to applicants who excel in their auditions and interviews. Ensemble members will also receive a QTC Season 2012 Ticket.

Auditions will be held 16-22 January 2012 at Queensland Theatre Company, 78 Montague Rd South Brisbane. For more information go to www.queenslandtheatre.com.au or call Julia-Rose Lewis,Youth Program Officer on 07 3010 7606 or email [email protected]

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Let’s be honest, soccer fever has a sneaky way of taking over the house. One minute you are just watching a match, and the next minute someone is cutting black pentagons out of paper, the good scissors have vanished, and there is a half-made pom pom goal sitting on the dining table.

These FIFA soccer craft ideas are perfect for World Cup parties, classroom activities, team wind-ups, coach gifts, sports-mad kids, and those of us who like a theme even if we are mostly there for the snacks.

I’ve gathered a mix of easy soccer crafts for kids, crochet soccer patterns, paper crafts, recycled game ideas, and handmade decorations so there is something here for preschoolers, older kids, yarn lovers, and parents who need a quick project before the match starts.

Paper Plate Soccer Ball Craft

The Paper Plate Soccer Craft is exactly the sort of project I love for younger kids because it uses supplies you probably already have in the craft cupboard. Paper plates, paint, scissors, glue, and a printable template turn into a bold little soccer ball that can be hung on the fridge, used as party décor, or strung into a game-day banner.

This one is especially good for classrooms or World Cup watch parties because every child can decorate their own soccer ball in team colours. It is simple enough for preschoolers with help, but still satisfying for older kids who want to make their ball look “proper.”

Crochet Soccer Ball

The Crochet Soccer Ball from Repeat Crafter Me is a lovely handmade option if you want something soft, washable, and a little more keepsake-worthy than paper crafts. It has that classic black-and-white soccer ball look but with the cosy charm of yarn.

This would make a sweet gift for a soccer-loving child, a nursery prop, or even a handmade party decoration. If you have ever made crochet toys before, this is a fun sporty twist that feels very World Cup without needing licensed logos or team branding.

Soccer Ball Plushie Crochet Pattern

The Soccer Ball Plushie from Crochet Spot is another clever yarn version, made using pentagon and hexagon motifs. I like this one because it has that classic stitched-panel soccer ball construction, which makes it feel a bit more like a real ball, only softer and less likely to knock over a lamp.

This is best for crocheters who enjoy assembling pieces and don’t mind a bit of shaping. It would be a brilliant handmade gift for a junior player or a soft indoor ball for little ones who are forever trying to kick things down the hallway.

Soccer Digital Stamps For Cards And Scrapbooking

For card makers, the Free Soccer Digital Stamps on CraftGossip are perfect for thank-you coach cards, soccer birthday cards, team scrapbook pages, and match-day memory keeping.

Print them in black and white, colour them with pencils or markers, and use them on handmade cards, gift tags, or journal pages. This is the kind of project that quietly saves the day when someone says, “Mum, I need a card for coach tomorrow.”

Free Soccer Embroidery Pattern

The Free Embroidery Pattern – Soccer Designs is a lovely choice for stitchers who want something a little slower and more mindful. The design captures soccer action scenes, which makes it ideal for hoop art, a sports bag patch, or even a framed gift for a soccer-mad child.

This one is a nice bridge between sports and needlework, especially if you are stitching for someone who would never normally ask for embroidery but absolutely would love something soccer-themed.

Shoebox Table Football Game

The Shoebox Table Football Game is one of those recycled crafts that becomes a toy kids actually keep playing with. A shoebox, wooden skewers, pegs, paint, and a small ball turn into a mini foosball table.

This is a fantastic World Cup craft because it gives kids something to play during halftime, after school, or while the adults are still discussing whether that was definitely offside. It takes a bit more setting up than a paper craft, but the play value is huge.

DIY Pom Pom Soccer Game

The DIY Pom Pom Soccer Game is wonderfully simple and very budget-friendly. Kids use straws to blow a pom pom across a paper or cardboard soccer field and into a goal.

This is perfect for younger children, birthday parties, or rainy-day game sessions. It is also one of those sneaky crafts that becomes a STEM activity without announcing itself as one, because kids are learning about air movement, direction, force, and aim while they are busy trying to score.

Soccer Perler Bead Patterns

The Soccer Perler Beads project is great for kids who like neat, focused crafts. The printable pattern pack includes soccer symbols such as a ball, flag, trophy, cleat, jersey, and soccer field.

These would make cute magnets, bag charms, party favours, or little handmade gifts for teammates. I also like Perler bead crafts for match days because they keep busy hands occupied while still feeling connected to the game.

Soccer Ball Craft For Parties

The Soccer Ball Craft from Sugar, Spice and Glitter is a great idea for a soccer-themed birthday or end-of-season party. Instead of making a tiny craft, kids decorate an actual soccer ball, which turns the activity into a keepsake.

This could be a fun team signing ball, a coach gift, or a party guest book alternative. Set out permanent markers in team colours and let everyone add names, doodles, player numbers, and little messages.

Crochet Sport Ball Appliques

The Crochet Sport Ball Appliques include a soccer ball design that can be added to hats, bags, blankets, scarves, and handmade clothing. This is a handy pattern if you don’t want to make a full toy but still want a sporty little embellishment.

Use the soccer applique on a beanie, school bag, drawstring pouch, or plain sweatshirt. It is also a nice stash-busting project because you only need small amounts of yarn.

Soccer Ball Earflap Hat

The Crochet Football Earflap Hat is a fun wearable project for cold-weather soccer fans. It comes in multiple sizes, which makes it useful for babies, kids, and grown-ups who are happily committed to the theme.

This would be adorable for sideline cheering, team photos, or a handmade gift for a little soccer player. It also works well if you want a sporty crochet project that is practical rather than purely decorative. Your crochet notes file also already had this football earflap hat saved as a soccer-relevant lead.

DIY Game Day Pom Poms

The DIY Game Day Pom Poms are not soccer-ball shaped, but they absolutely belong in a FIFA soccer craft roundup because every good cheering section needs something to wave around.

Make them in national colours, club colours, or school team colours. They are easy enough for kids to help with and make brilliant party props, classroom decorations, or sideline accessories.

LEGO FIFA World Cup Trophy

For a craft-adjacent building project, the official LEGO FIFA World Cup trophy set is a fun one to mention for older kids, collectors, and soccer-loving families. It is more of a build than a handmade tutorial, but it fits beautifully into the World Cup crafting mood if your audience enjoys display projects and brick builds.

This would be a great add-on mention for readers who like family projects they can work on together while watching the matches. Not every craft needs glue under your fingernails, although obviously that helps.

More Soccer Craft Ideas To Try

If you want to stretch this theme into a whole week of World Cup fun, here are a few easy add-on ideas:

Make a team-colour paper chain garland for your lounge room or classroom.

Turn plain cupcakes into soccer balls with white icing and black fondant pentagons.

Create a match-day scrapbook page using ticket stubs, photos, jersey colours, and the free soccer digital stamps.

Sew a simple drawstring bag in team colours for boots, shin pads, or snacks.

Make recycled cardboard medals for backyard soccer tournaments.

Decorate a plain T-shirt with fabric paint, freezer-paper stencils, or iron-on vinyl.

Craft Supplies That Work Well For Soccer Projects

You don’t need a huge shopping list for most of these projects. A good basic soccer craft stash would include white cardstock, black paper, green cardstock or felt, paper plates, markers, glue sticks, scissors, yarn, pom poms, wooden pegs, shoeboxes, skewers, Perler beads, and a few printable templates.

If you are crafting with a group of kids, pre-cutting some black pentagons is a kindness to everyone involved. Ask me how I know. Tiny black shapes have a magical way of disappearing under the table, usually right where the dog is sleeping.

Why Soccer Crafts Are Great For World Cup Season

Soccer crafts are a lovely way to include kids who may not want to sit through a full match but still want to be part of the excitement. They can make decorations, create their own mini games, cheer with handmade pom poms, or turn their favourite team colours into wearable projects.

They are also brilliant for mixed-age groups. Younger kids can paint paper plates or make pom pom games, older kids can tackle Perler beads or shoebox foosball, and adults can sneak off to crochet a soccer ball while pretending they are “just supervising.”

That is the beauty of a good themed craft roundup. Everyone gets to play.