To our dedicated Brisbane Roar FC members and fans,
It’s been a bustling and thrilling past few months at the Brisbane Roar. I trust you have also been enjoying the games and performances by both our ALM and ALW teams.
As we prepare for our next big weekend of matches, I’d like to share with you a few updates from an operations perspective:
SUNCORP STADIUM PITCH UPDATE
As you may have experienced during our last two home matches, the pitch at Suncorp Stadium has been looking tired. Yesterday, the PFA published a statement which explains some of the issues and challenges being faced at stadiums around Australia. Player safety is without question the priority of all stakeholders. Given our first-hand experience as players, we know the limits that can be associated with poor quality surfaces. And while the field was approved and deemed safe for play by A League’s standards, we understand the impact on our fan experience and match day product that a tired pitch can have.
Kaz and I have been working closely with Suncorp Management and grounds staff through these challenges and they have been extremely cooperative and understanding of our position. We appreciate the relationship we have with Suncorp Stadium, our home in Brisbane. These challenges we face are only solved working collaboratively. In light of this, I’m delighted to share news that Suncorp Stadium Management have confirmed their decision to re-turf a total area of 6,000 sqm leading into our next home match on 21st December. We’re very grateful to Alan Graham and his hard working grounds staff for their support and care to get the field right.
With this being said, stadium surface issues are a problem that is not going to be completely solved in the short-term – especially given the busy period that stadiums are about to endure across the summer period. Looking longer-term, Kaz and I remain committed to working with necessary government bodies and sporting codes to address the issue of available, quality infrastructure and funding for our sport. Ultimately to help provide Brisbane and Queensland with the best possible venues to experience world-class sporting events.
Furthermore, many lessons have been learnt from changes made by TransLink for bus/ train services recently. We continue to work with Translink to make sure our fan base can have easy access to all our match day events. Our fan experience is very important to us and our partners as we work to improve the matchday experience. BRFC hear and appreciate fan feedback, as we take accountability to solve problems.
SHAPING OUR MEN AND WOMEN’S TEAM FOR SUCCESS
A lot of important match minutes have been earned by our younger players in the first 6 rounds. Rylan, Tommy, Shae, Quinn, Taras are all young, talented and determined footballers who are gaining invaluable exposure and important match minutes as they develop under Ross’s leadership, which will prove to be incredibly important for the club’s future. Its been great to see our fan base get behind our teams and display their encouragement and support to these young men, who have all shown they belong at the professional level. The same can be said for our ALW side, with the average age being 23.5 years old.
Recent data has demonstrated a +41{0e9d9e5f8ab8f5ee98de7b96e5025abc03cdeec159ea0768a5c635a5f5e5f174} year-on-year change in ALM attendances, and a +232{0e9d9e5f8ab8f5ee98de7b96e5025abc03cdeec159ea0768a5c635a5f5e5f174} year-on-year positive change for ALW attendances. Great to see crowds building at Suncorp and Ballymore, with football back at Perry Park next weekend (ALW). We hope to keep building on this positive data and momentum through Christmas and into the New Year.
We will be looking to evolve and improve both the ALM and ALW squads in January 2024. We need to take certain risks and look to invest wisely in Ross’s/ Alex’s squads as we look to build upon positive results in the early stages of the season. Depth, quality and strong foundations for the future is essential as we rebuild the playing rosters.
This weekend will see Brisbane Roar ALM side take on a big challenge in Adelaide for a top two spot early in the season. As our ALW team are laser focused upon 3 points in Canberra.
It’s going to be another big weekend of football.
Zac Anderson
COO
Brisbane Roar FC
