Australian football experienced a shock to the system on Tuesday evening when A-Leagues side Brisbane Roar announced the abrupt dismissal of its junior academy sides.
Earning league-wide discontent and now the involvement of Football Australia in the matter, the situation has added to the club’s woes in a tumultuous season that has also seen the termination of Corey Brown’s contract for alleged drug use and subsequent judicial hearings with Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) in regards to the incident.
The announcement, released by the Roar unexpectedly on Tuesday, saw the club state the following via a press release:
“As the only Isuzu UTE A-League team in Queensland, Brisbane Roar are proud to support a pathway for the junior players in the state to have professional football opportunities,” the statement read.
“Brisbane Roar also recognise that Football Queensland works with NPL clubs and players, across the state, and that these clubs are the backbone for development, particularly for junior players.
“Therefore, Brisbane Roar have made the difficult decision to focus on the development of players from the age of 16 and up that are eligible for the Under 23’s and NPL men’s squad.
“As a result, the Brisbane Roar Football Club Academy Under 14 to Under 18 programs will cease to operate. The Under 13’s has been removed under the new Football Queensland model.”
The Roar went on to cite an ambition to provide a “direct pathway to professional football with our Under 23 and Men’s teams” as the ultimate reasoning behind the decision – this is in spite of the fact that the club’s under-15 and under-23 sides won their respective Grand Finals.
An already deteriorating relationship with its fan base has been further solidified with fan malaise at an all-time high at the club. Despite returning to Suncorp Stadium amidst growing fan discontent towards having to travel to Redcliffe for home games, the Roar currently sit 10th on the Isuzu Ute A-League Men’s ladder following a draw against Macarthur and loss against Melbourne City both at home.
The Bakrie Group, the Indonesia-based conglomerate who has owned a 70 percent share in the A-Leagues sole Queensland representative, has reduced their investment into the club through the years, and despite early success under Ange Postecoglou and Mike Mulvey, has been largely at fault for the club’s unfortunate decline and has only been a source of ire for their loyal supporters recently. With funding into the club clearly an issue, it is no doubt time for Brisbane Roar to move on from their relationship with the Bakrie Group – something which is undeniably no easy feat.
The intention to stick with only an expanded Under-23 side for the foreseeable future has generated obvious furore for a reason, especially with Queensland being home to the second largest contingent of football participants in Australia. Adding to the club’s ill decision-making is the fact that Football Queensland, the governing body in charge of the state’s footballing endeavours, issued a statement of their own which made it clear that the result of the Roar’s decision is solely their making:
“This decision was made exclusively by the Brisbane Roar and by Brisbane Roar alone,” the statement read.
“Football Queensland accepts the position of Brisbane Roar who will now focus on their U23 and First team squads.
“Football Queensland will ensure the advanced junior development pathway continues to be strong and accessible to Queensland talent.”
Football Queensland went on to back up their initial statement with a commitment to the implementation of a full-time state development program for boys that aligns with the FQ Academy QAS girls’ program ahead of the upcoming 2024 National Premier Leagues Queensland season.
The fallout of Brisbane Roar’s decision will invariably leave elite junior players looking elsewhere for opportunities and also reduce coaching opportunities for aspiring local coaches. In addition, it will arguably result in the Roar potentially alienating NPL sides who develop these players that they poach or worse, it will leave generational gaps in Australian football – something which is irrefutably detrimental to the growth of Australian football.
Football Australia immediately released a statement of their own on the issue, further reflecting the implications behind the Roar’s decision and the foreseeable damage the club and the Bakrie Group may cause in the future.
“Football Australia, in its regulatory capacity, has some concerns with Brisbane Roar Football Club’s announcement regarding proposed changes to its Academy and have scheduled a meeting with the Club to gather information and discuss their decision in more detail. Only once this meeting has taken place will Football Australia be able to provide further comment.”
Regardless of the Roar’s justification behind the end to its junior sides, it can no longer remain behind the rest of the A-Leagues on or off the field, especially in a state where football is so deeply-entrenched at a grassroots level. The time is now overdue for the club to depart with the Bakrie Group in search of something greater or at minimum stabler. As daunting as that may appear, it will be nothing but holistically positive for Queensland and Australian football.
