Roar right behind soccer on the Coast
BRISBANE Roar coach John Aloisi says the A-League club is committed to keeping its academy in the region despite the collapse of partner Gold Coast City.
A day after the Bulletin reported growing concerns over the code at a grassroots level, the Roar reaffirmed their commitment to a region which has previously included an elite talent pathway partnership with Gold Coast City.
Now defunct City recently lost its National Premier Leagues Queensland licence but Aloisi said Brisbane were going to keep its academy operating in the city that has unearthed multiple stars for the club including the likes of Tommy Oar, Shane Smeltz and now Nick D’Agostino.
“The academy has still got links down here at the Gold Coast,” Aloisi said ahead of Saturday’s Cbus Super Stadium clash with Wellington.
“We feel it’s very important to have that elite pathway. So many great players have come out of the Gold Coast and we want to keep that going.
“We want to make sure there is an elite pathway because we see with the amount of young players we bring through each season. Nick D’Agostino is a prime example.
“I can go all the away back and say Mitch Nicholls and all these other players that have come from the Gold Coast.
“We know there is a lot of talent here and we don’t want to let that slide.”
Association of Australian football Clubs chairman Rabieh Krayem voiced his concerns this week on funding models.
Krayem claimed that under the current funding model junior players paying up to $3000 to be part of the NPL pathway that the FFA has created.
Krayem labelled it the biggest concern in the game and one which has far-reaching ramifications at all levels.
Aloisi said he couldn’t comment on the system but was focused on ensuring the club’s academy provided opportunities to young players.
“All we can do at Brisbane Roar is make sure we have our academy running smoothly and making sure we get the best talented players involved and give them an actual opportunity to play at the highest level,” he said.
“That is all we are focused on is what we can do as a club and try and keep on developing players and hopefully one day have them representing the Socceroos.”
The Roar face Wellington in Round 10 of the A-League season at Cbus Super Stadium at 5.35pm on Saturday.
The club trained at the venue yesterday.