With the Hyundai A-League season fast approaching there are two things firmly in the sights of Brisbane Roar’s squad in the coming 10 days – Sunday’s Family Fun Day and Gold Coast United in week one of the season.
Sunday-s Family Fun Day at the Roma Street Parklands concludes Brisbane Roar-s comprehensive pre-season program, a program which has seen the squad travel across Brisbane and its regions engaging the local football community.
For captain Matt McKay, the Family Fun Day provides another opportunity to thank fans for their loyal support of the club.
“I-m really looking forward to Sunday, it-s a good opportunity for everyone to come out and have a look at the squad,” McKay said.
“We-ve been in the community throughout the pre-season, which has been great.
“We-ve been out at Peninsula Power, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Gympie which has been good, and we-ve been well received everywhere we-ve gone.
“The boys have put the effort in to really show the fans from previous years and the new fans that we-re really up for the challenge this year.
“We-re going to be competitive and we want people at Suncorp Stadium and the only way for us to do that is to get into the community, play well in the pre-season and go into the Hyundai A-League season with plenty of confidence.”
On the track, the focus has turned to securing three points, and early bragging rights, in the M1 Derby.
Gold Coast United had the wood on Brisbane Roar last season winning all three derbies, but with a new and exciting squad at the club, McKay said the mission was to begin evening up the ledger.
“The feeling in the squad is positive,” McKay said. “It has been a long pre-season.
“We-ve had 10 games for eight wins and a couple of losses which we played well in.
“The way we-re playing is really positive and now we aim to start winning games when the season starts.
“There-s two weeks until the Gold Coast game and all our eyes are now on that game and getting the result there.”
On a personal level, the extensive pre-season program has enabled McKay to firmly establish himself as the club-s on-field leader.
The midfield dynamo was thrust into the captaincy at the tail end of last season with the departure of former captain Craig Moore.
A man of action rather than too many words, McKay said he and the leadership group – consisting of Michael Theoklitos, Shane Stefanutto and Luke DeVere – would aim to steer Brisbane-s young squad towards a successful season.
“I-m not a huge talker, I try my best, but I feel like I-ve been playing well in the pre-season and if I can carry that form into the season then the boys will see that and try harder as well,” he said.
“We-re all about hard work and we have a team with a good ethos, and if we can keep that going it-ll bode well for the season.
“We have a fairly young squad, so the experienced guys we have in the squad are invaluable.”
Free rides, competitions, face-painting and the Roar Rapid Fire inflatable football field will all be part of this year-s Family Fun Day.
Fans will also get a chance to meet their heroes when the players are presented their jerseys for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
Entry to the Family Fun Day is free and there will be plenty of giveaways – including special Roar showbags – so don-t miss out!
The event will run from 10am to 2.30pm, with food, drink and the latest merchandise on sale.
Brisbane players will be appearing from noon.
