Brisbane Roar FC wishes to advise of the appointment of Kaz Patafta as the club’s new Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Zac Anderson as the club’s new Chief Operations Officer.
Following an in-depth recruitment process, the club’s conglomerate ownership, The Bakrie Group, has appointed Patafta and Anderson to lead the club forward, after a period of transition in management for the club.
“We’re excited to be welcoming two highly decorated professionals with extensive experience and unique backgrounds to bring tremendous additional value to Brisbane Roar as a brand and top international football club,” Bakrie Group representative Helmi Rahman said.
“Our new Executive team bring a wealth of knowledge, fresh ideas and perspective that will help benefit not only the club but football in Queensland.”
Incoming Chairman & CEO, Patafta, has extensive experience in corporate law specialising in commercial, energy, infrastructure projects, project finance & capital market transactions, since leaving professional football after the 2011/12 A-League season.
“Brisbane Roar is a foundation club and one that we want our members and fans to be extremely proud to support in guiding this new vision forward. We believe in developing and nurturing young & local talent, so that they can grow as people and as footballers.”
“Our focus will be to reconnect the club with the football community throughout Queensland and establish a clear elite pathway from club and school football to the professional game,” Patafta said.
Patafta, an ex-professional footballer played at Portuguese giants Benfica, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, the Australian U17 and U20’s national teams and was among four promising youngsters invited to train with the Socceroos leading up to the World Cup in Germany.
“Our vision is to not only engage but to support local clubs by working together to grow participation, supporting more boys and girls to play the game.”
Patafta is appreciative of the service that outgoing CEO & Chairman Chris Fong has provided the club over 10 years and more recently the APL board.
“We appreciate the work that Chris [Fong] has provided BRFC over many years. We sincerely thank Chris for his services to the club and wish him well in his new venture,” Patafta said.
Anderson has experience in the Financial Investment sector having founded Samara Capital, operating between Singapore and Australia.
“We want to build a club all of Queensland can get behind and is proud of, with a strong core of Queensland talent,” Anderson said.
Anderson, also an ex-professional played for Gold Coast United, Central Coast Mariners, and Sydney FC before having multiple stints in the Middle East and in Asia before finishing his career at Olympic FC in the QLD NPL.
“Our mission is to be recognised by our fans, community, sponsors, stakeholders and peers as Australia’s most modern and progressive football club and producing Australia’s best talent and product.”
Both Executives will commence their roles within the club in the coming weeks.
