Brisbane Roar would like to provide an update on the Liberty A-League Women’s Squad ahead of the upcoming 2023/24 season.
Head Coach Garrath McPherson shares the latest on how his coaching team are preparing for the season and what is on the horizon.
“Our wonderful staff have been busy with the post-season review, essentially reflecting back on the past year and how we lived our vision and values. We try and pick the bones out of what we did both on and off the field and generate our action plans to make sure we grow and become better,” McPherson said.
McPherson says that fans will be hearing of new signings “very soon” and anticipates that fans will be pleased to see the QLD First Approach still in place.
“It’s a roster full of people that have Brisbane in their blood and hold a connection to our city. It continues the vision of the club with being the one club in QLD that everyone can support,” McPherson said.
“The strategy underpinning our rostering will continue to provide our talent with the opportunity to compete in the A-League.”
“I believe we have found a really nice balance in the roster, recruiting experience and championship-winning mentality that will stand alongside the players that have created their own legacy this past two seasons” he added.
McPherson has been observing the NPL QLD to look out for those that could potentially find themselves a spot in the Liberty A-League team.
“I’ve had a really keen eye on the local competition, I watch four or five games every week whether it’s in the stands somewhere or through the live streams. It’s been great to see how competitive the competition is this year,” he said.
“I’m out and watching these games to see who is performing well and who might have an impact in an A-League environment.”
McPherson highlights that consistency was an issue for the squad last season and believes that bringing in former Matilda and Olympian Kate McShea as a mentor will positively impact the players.
McShea has felt what it is like to lift the silverware in her Championship-winning 2008/09 season with the Brisbane Roar and McPherson looks forward to what her mentorship can bring.
“As part of our review, we found that at our best last year, we could beat anybody and one of the downfalls we found throughout our season was being consistent in that type of performance across both halves in matches and between matches,” McPherson said.
“Kate has the mentality of a Championship winner, she knows what it looks and feels like to turn up and win consistently – she has done it before. One of the challenges across the past two seasons has been replacing that mindset.
“It’s something you need to learn but to learn it, you need to be around it, talk to it and I feel it. Kate will support us here” he added.
“She comes in as a mentor for players and staff – I am always looking for ways to be better and am grateful to have her insight and perspective across the season.”
McPherson was proud to see the Matilda’s win their first match and to see former Roar players – and staff – take the world stage.
“It has been so great to see Katrina doing so well, after all that she has been through the past three of four years.”
“She is a player who has given her all for our club, particularly this past two seasons during our rebuilding, we are all so proud of what she’s doing.”
“I really felt for Tameka [Yallop] picking up an injury in that last friendly but knowing her focus and drive I am sure she will be back having an impact on the tournament.
“There are more than half dozen former players in the team and being based out of Brisbane, back near family and friends, will be really nice for them.”
“I’ll be taking my wife and daughter to Suncorp on Thursday to cheer on Mel [Andreatta] and the team.”
“I don’t think I have ever worked with someone as dedicated and committed as Mel to see her celebrate the win against Ireland made me really happy. I know the Roar fans loved that celebration”.
Kate McShea looks forward to the chance to give back to the Brisbane Roar after going on to have a successful career.
“I’m excited to get back involved. I’m aiming to get re-connected and give back to the game and to the club that supported me throughout my career,” McShea said.
“I hope I can pass on some of that experience and knowledge about how to deal with the pressures of competitions and how to prepare yourself mentally for games, and that week-in week-out match readiness for games,” she added.
“I’m an avid Queenslander, so helping any young Queenslander improve in their career will be something that I’ll be happy and proud to be involved in.”
“A big thing when we were successful, was when the going got tough we stuck together so if I can pass on that belief and mentality, hopefully, it will help them to improve in their career, not just for Roar but hopefully getting more people into Matilda’s squad.”
