Neil Symes

Neil Aaron Symes (born 11 December 1988) is an Australian politician who was the member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Lytton from 2012 to 2015. He was the youngest member of the Queensland Parliament during his term.

Symes was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School and Griffith University. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology and human services, majoring in child protection and family studies. He has worked at the Acacia Ridge and Districts Community Centre in Brisbane's South-West working as a community engagement officer with the Indigenous and African migrant communities. He also had a pivotal role in organising the multicultural festival, Party on in the Park, in 2009. Before running for Parliament, he was a Gold Medal ham slicer in the deli at Woolworths.

Since 2021, he has been coaching football firstly in Football Queensland Q-League with Spanish Centre FC based in Acacia Ridge.

As of the 2022 season until the end of the 2023 season he has been the assistant first team coach in the FQPL (Football Queensland Premier League) for FC Old Bridge Salisbury in Brisbane’s Southside. The First season the club finished 2nd in the league and was promoted to FQPL5 for the 2023 season.

In the 2023 season after a lacklustre mid-season the side finished the year strong including 8 game winning streak to finish 3rd just short of promotion. FC Old Bridge Salisbury reached the grand final after an extra time 2-0 win over Bardon to make the club’s first ever grand final in the FQPL football pyramid system. Unfortunately, the side lost 1-0 in the grand final with a 93rd minute goal to Kangaroo Point Rovers being the difference.