Brisbane Roar football team returning to the Fraser Coast

Queensland’s premier football team, the Brisbane Roar, will visit the Fraser Coast for a training camp and an exhibition game on Saturday, August 28.

“The regular visits by the Roar help cement the Fraser Coast as a premier regional Queensland football hub,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

The club has also established the Roar regional training program.

“Brisbane Roar is a proud Queensland club and we are extremely pleased to be returning to the Fraser Coast this year,” Brisbane Roar CEO David Pourre said.

“We have a very strong relationship with the Fraser Coast Regional Council which continues to deliver great outcomes for young boys and girls through the Skills Training Centre.”

The exhibition game, which is free to watch, will be very popular, Cr Seymour said.

“While it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19, more than 3,000 spectators turned out for the 2019 event,” he said.

The local team will be chosen from the Wide Bay Premier League – representing the best players in the league.  In 2019 the Wide Bay team was up one-nil at half-time before the Roar fought back for a 4-1 finish.

“The game and the training camp boosts the region by giving Fraser Coast players access to top-of-the-line coaching and mentoring from the Roar as well as focussing attention on the fantastic facilities at the Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct,” Cr Seymour said.

The visit is part of a three-year sponsorship agreement between the Roar and the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Under the agreement the Brisbane Roar has established a Skills Training Centre at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct to help develop talented footballers between Gympie and Mackay.

“By attracting state and national teams and fixtures to the Fraser Coast, Council helps develop the skills of locals through coaching clinics, mentoring programs, participation in exhibition matches and just being able to watch games involving elite athletes,” Cr Daniel Sanderson said.

“The visit is also an opportunity for sporting clubs to attract members and increase community participation in sport.”