Roar Women Head Coach Mel Andreatta says a Round 1 clash at Suncorp Stadium is a dream start to her side’s Westfield W-League Premiership defence.
The 2018/19 was today released, confirming the Roar would open Season 11 with a blockbuster Round 1 clash against Perth Glory.
The fixture is one of three Westfield W-League/Hyundai A-League double headers featuring Brisbane this upcoming campaign – one of two to be played at Suncorp Stadium.
FIXTURE: BRFC 2018/19 Westfield W-League Draw
“It’s a fan’s dream to come and watch two entertaining football teams go head-to-head with quality players on both sides,” Andreatta said following today’s announcement.
“It’s great to open the year at Suncorp Stadium, our fortress, our home, where we had a lot of success last season. We were away for our first game last season and it’ll be great to start this season in front of our own fans.”
The venue, which holds many cherished memories for BRFC supporters, last hosted a Westfield W-League fixture back in February – the day the Club secured a record-equalling third Premiership.
While the Roar weren’t able to secure the season’s second piece of silverware, Andreatta knows her side will be regarded as one of the sides to beat this season, but that won’t faze them.
“Other sides always want to play well against Brisbane Roar – it’s a club that is known for its success. Teams go to another level against us, but we want to keep that Premiers Plate and we’ve been working hard over the last six months to improve on areas to help us do that,” Andreatta continued.
“We showed last year, especially with the establishment of the Roar Corps, that Brisbane is a difficult place to visit – it’s a growing support base, it’s loud, it’s proud, and it gives us that extra support that makes it hard for opposition sides to deal with.
“We don’t see it as pressure, we see it as an opportunity. What better way to start the season than with the Premiers Plate.”
Defence was the cornerstone piece of the side’s premiership-winning campaign. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold kept a league-high number of clean sheets, and remarkably, the Roar leaked just three goals on the road.
Holding the mantle as one of the toughest sides to crack is another goal for Season 11, but so is affording the opportunity to the next generation of Queensland female football talent.
“You will see players who have been performing well here at home over the winter get their opportunity as we keep one eye on the future and reward those who have really earned their chance to play in Brisbane orange,” Andreatta continued.
The remarkable pool of young talent coming through the Queensland ranks will be on full display this Sunday with the BRFC/NTC squad takes on perennial powerhouses The Gap FC in the NPLW QLD decider at Walton Bridge Reserve (3pm KO).
“It’s fantastic. The staff have done a terrific job in progressing that team to another level, we’ve been well supported by Football Federation Australia, Football Queensland and Brisbane Roar to develop a program which is far above many others of its kind,” Andreatta concluded.
“That’s given them the time to develop as players with regular games and a great training environment – it’s just great reward for the commitment of both players and staff to that program and I’m very excited for Sunday.
“Without the support of these key stakeholders, we would not have been able to take this program to another level.”
Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced for the first time ever all matches of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 season will be broadcast or streamed live on FOX SPORTS, SBS VICELAND and the My Football Live app – Live, Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers.
“I am confident that this season of the Westfield W-League is set to be one of the best,” FFA Head of Hyundai A-League & Westfield W-League, Greg O’Rourke concluded.
BRFC Westfield W-League Memberships will once again be available for the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days.
