‘Jump on the bus’: Key to Coast A-League bid

GOLD Coast Football general manager Damien Bresic has declared the region has the talent and long-term prospects to launch a return to the national stage.

But much like a marriage, he said its success would hinge on strong links between club and community or risk remaining out of A-League contention permanently.

In light of the Cbus Super Stadium securing the clash between the Brisbane Roar and Leeds United this June, calls began for the Glitter Strip to make it’s A-League comeback.

While former United chairman Danny Maher has spearheaded a bid to secure a license for a new franchise, supported by overseas investors, Bresic believed the initiative would need the community behind it or else suffer the same fate as the last time. With almost 1000 new participants registered through the Gold Coast football clubs since 2018 — despite the obstacles caused by the Covid-19 pandemic — Bresic said the community had the talent pool, coaching and pathways to harness a top tier outfit long-term.

However he said the region needed to embrace and get behind the team for it to have any chance of success, while those who joined its ranks in turn needed to engage more deeply with the grassroots.

“You need a decent business model behind you and corporate support, but then you also need to have the community engagement,” Bresic said.

“You’ve got 9000 or so registered players, plus I think we’ve got 800 or 900 registered coaches, and 150 or 160 referees.

“It’s then the community engagement … and getting out to club land so players are meeting the grassroots people.

“It’s like a marriage, it’s both ways. I feel that the club itself whether it’s players or management has to be open about it, and then almost bring the community on for the ride. “The club needs to provide the bus, then it’s up to the community to jump on the bus.”

Bresic said based on the growth of participation, and the strength of the NPL Queensland sides, a passage to the elite had strengthened for local prospects and greater interest had been generated.

But he also warned that any pitch for the Gold Coast to make its A-League return needed to be planned for the long-term, or risk never getting another chance.

“We’ve definitely grown, there’s no two ways about it. Coming out of the pandemic, it’s pleasing,” Bresic said.

“Even that proves there is an affiliation with the game and there’s people who will support it, so it’s just the old case of if you build it and they will come. I think we’ll have one more go at it, if we don’t get it right it won’t get a third.”