Three gruelling days of pre-season preparation for our Hyundai A-League squad has been eased by the chance to get out & about in the local Gladstone football community.
British defender Tom Aldred was one of a number of squad members who headed along to meet and answer questions from Academy players at Gladstone’s Trinity College yesterday afternoon.
While the training on pitch has been intense, Aldred says the week away together could prove invaluable for the squad as the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season draws closer.
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WATCH: Our visit to Trinity College Gladstone
“It’s been enjoyable. It’s been tough, lots of hard work and the boys are starting to gel together off the pitch because you work with each other a lot,” Aldred said.
“It’s also nice to see football from another perspective, from young people who are trying to make a career out of the game. It’s good to be able to give them some tips and a bit of advice.”
Midfielder Stefan Mauk joined Aldred yesterday at Trinity College and says it’s an enjoyable part of the job to be able to give back to local communities.
“Gladstone Regional Council has supported us in coming up here and if we can inspire one or two kids who go on to play for Brisbane Roar one day, it’s an unbelievable thing we can give back to the local regions,” Mauk said.
The Roar duo are now just two days away from their third pre-season fixture against a Football Central Queensland Select squad at Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval on Saturday afternoon (3pm KO).
Another invaluable chance to get minutes into the legs early in pre-season will be coupled with great opportunities for Saturday’s opposition and the local Gladstone community.
“The kids don’t get to see this, or perhaps understand what is to be a professional footballer, so the chance to see us play on Saturday will hopefully inspire them to dream big and aspire to play for Brisbane Roar,” Mauk continued.
“They [FCQ Select] are going to be excited, so they’ll bring a lot of energy which is what we need – tough games – and everyone is excited.
“Playing in front of a crowd is always fun – you don’t get to do that as much in training during pre-season so that will be good.”
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League Pre-Season: Football Central Queensland Select v Brisbane Roar FC
Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone
Saturday, 27 July (3pm KO)
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