Get set for “Roar-some” week on the Fraser Coast

Football fever will hit the Fraser Coast this week with the region playing host to Queensland’s premier football team, the Brisbane Roar, for a pre-season training camp and exhibition game.

The Brisbane Roar will arrive tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 24 August) with their trip to include a number of community engagements and a game against a Wide Bay Select team on Saturday 28 August at 5pm at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour encouraged everyone to make the most of having an elite football team in the region this week.

“This visit will be a major boost for the entire Fraser Coast football community – the junior and senior players, their families, the coaches and the fans,” he said.

“For those wanting to see how elite footballers practice and prepare, the Roar will have an open training session at the sports precinct on Friday afternoon while they will also be signing autographs that night after training.

“In addition, Roar players will visit Kawungan State School, Maryborough State High School and the Skills Training Centre at the sports precinct throughout the week.”

The game on Saturday night is free to attend and no registration is required, but anyone attending will be required to check in via the Check In Queensland app.

The local team is being 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.

This week’s 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.

“This week’s visit also highlights how important it is to have the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct, which has meant better facilities for local football players and a stronger ability to attract major events and sporting teams that require high-quality fields.” 

To coincide with this week’s visit, the Brisbane Roar Academy are holding an open training session at the sports precinct on Friday afternoon 27 August for eight to 16 years old, kicking off from 4.30pm.

For more details and  to register, visit brisbaneroaracademy.com.au/event/brfc-academy-open-day-hervey-bay/