Brisbane Roar Football Club have kick-started preparations for the Westfield W-League 2016/17 season, announcing Mel Andreatta as the side’s new Head Coach.
The former Roar Assistant and National Training Squad (NTC) Coach Mel Andreatta will lead the squad in the ninth edition of the Westfield W-League and says she is excited about the opportunity.
“The chance to lead a team with so much history in a club that is so much a part of the Brisbane community is an exciting opportunity,” she said.
“All the players have the characteristics and values of Brisbane Roar which really excites me.
“I’m really looking forward over the coming weeks for us to work hard together and prepare for a successful season.”
Head Coach of the Roar’s A-League side John Aloisi was full of praise for Andreatta’s coaching ability and commitment to the club.
“Mel is someone that the club believes can take the W-League team to the next level,” he said.
“It is important that we have buy in from every individual who has the privilege to work for Brisbane Roar.
“She understands the playing style we want to implement at our football club and we are excited about the upcoming W-League season.”
Andreatta has a formidable reputation for getting the best out of emerging players and developing future stars and credits her success in mentor and coaching positions to hard work and determination.
“I’ve always worked hard whether it’s as a teacher, a player, or as a coach. Hard work is in my DNA,” she said.
“This is Day One. In our league, it’s imperative to start well. You can sense already in the player’s mindset, there is a steely focus.”
The Roar Women will open the 2016/17 season against arch rivals Sydney FC on Saturday, November 5 and will be looking to hit the ground running.
The Roar won four of their last six games in the 2015/16 season and took eventual champions Melbourne City to a penalty shootout in the semi-final.
Moving forward Roar’s A-League head coach (John Aloisi) and the new W-League head coach (Mel Andreatta) will work closely to ensure the women’s style of play is the same as the men.
The Brisbane Roar brand is synonymous with successful, exciting and attacking football and the new Head Coach says the Women will continue the tradition.
“In a club that has so much history and success, there’s an expectation to succeed but it’s also about the way you do that,” Andreatta said.
“We’re already preparing and building for that opening game both on and off the field to ensure we have a strong start to the season.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where our expectations, commitment and dedication are going to take us this season.”
“We have a style of football that we want to play and we’re excited about getting our preparations underway so we can show off that style in round one against Sydney FC.
“We have a lot of young players who are familiar with the proactive, positive and attacking style of football and the movements that we see from all Roar teams.
Roar’s new W-League Head Coach believed the opportunity to play on Suncorp Stadium twice this season as part of double headers with Hyundai A-League fixtures on December 11 and January 7 was going to be special for the whole club.
“The players always look forward to walking out on to Suncorp Stadium,” Andreatta said.
“It has great history for our club and there’s some great wins and positive experiences.
“It’s a part of Queensland culture and it will be a massive honour to be standing pitch side.”
