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RSF Presidents Update January 2025

President Neil Ballment, Vice President Rod Goldsworthy, Secretary John Lang and
Treasurer Jeremy Scott were successful in securing a meeting with Roar COO, Zac
Anderson. It has been a considerable time since we have had the opportunity to raise
issues brought to our attention by fans. Given the frankly disastrous start to the Men’s
Team to date, and the high level of criticism being levelled at Club Management, and
Team Management, the RSF had been concerned that its attempts at communication
had been unsuccessful, but we are pleased to say that this has now been remedied and
normal transmission has resumed.
Kaz Patafta’s interview on Ch10 News on the 10th January, has updated the public with
the Club’s plans to push forward on a club infrastructure strategy, focused upon a
boutique Stadium as a home for the Roar, with the backing of the Owners. The
announcement of Waddingham to a Championship club (UK) was made by the News reporter but not commented on by Kaz. The RSF wishes Thomas well as he advances his career.
Zac said, It’s known that he will be sold, which will see the club financially
benefit. He went on to say, The development of young Queensland talent was spoken
to as a clear strategy for the Club moving forward, so this news has delivered upon that
continued focus.
The RSF recently has been the subject of considerable criticism for its inability to secure
access to Club Management to present the concerns and frustrations of Fans.
However, this has been remedied after persistent efforts by both the President and the
Secretary.

1) COMMUNICATIONS –
It was made clear that Members and Fans were deeply critical of the failure of the
Club to communicate with Fans, particularly during a period of frustration and
anger of Fans in the wake of the failure of the Men’s Team to secure a win this far
into the season. Zac Anderson expressed his own understanding of fan
disappointment, due to the extended run of poor men’s team results this season.
Zac said This Transfer Period will bring positive announcements about the
men’s and women’s teams, highlighted by the news of Waddingham.

2) MEN’S TEAM –
Zac Anderson expressed his own disappointment and frustrations
about the men’s team results, and said that on a personal level he truly understood
why Fans are upset, in wanting to see things turn around quickly. He acknowledged
that it’s a difficult moment for the Men’s Team, Zac said, it will take some time, but I am
focused upon helping the men’s team reverse its current course, He acknowledged the
sentiments of a number of Fans that until the Men’s Team was once again
achieving more positive results on field, supporters will continue to share their
frustrations.
The RSF put to Zac that many fans and commentators and journalists had called for
Ruben Zadkovich to be dismissed in light of recent results.
He responded by saying Wholesale player changes to the Men’s Team were not
possible, nor financially viable until the end of the current season. He continued with
so much work off field being done to improve the Club’s viability. So much work has
been done to date to fix the mistakes of the past, and so calm decision making is key.
However, he said Everyone was on notice, and that no-one was content with the
current situation.
Zac was optimistic that the January Transfer Period would be positive for the
Club, but also said Unfortunately, again that there would likely still be a period of
on-field pain (men’s). Zac expressed the importance of ‘togetherness,’ as the
Club navigates through short-term head winds, and again thanked the fans and
the RSF for their unwavering support.

3) WOMEN’S TEAM
The RSF and Roar Management both shared and celebrated in the recent
success and growth of the Women’s Team. Zac expressed the extensive work
that has been done by many people over the past 18months.
Zac pointed out that this success was the result of careful planning and
strategic recruitment by the Club and Team Management, with a strong focus to
continue nurturing the next generation of talented female players, through its
affiliation with the QAS/FQ program. Zac expressed the hope that this might long
continue and be used as a blueprint into the future. He hoped to be able to repeat this
success in the Men’s Team given time.

4) FINANCES-
Zac said that the Club was badly affected by the failure of the APL to distribute the expected club distribution this financial year, and that contrary to the RSF’s
initial understanding that the Owners simply topped up the difference lost by the
reduced distributions above their usual financial support, this was not true, leaving
Club Management to work and find the additional sum since the news broke
from the APL in July 2024. This has absorbed much of Zac and Kaz’s time and
energy recently, to make sure that the club continued operating effectively, with this
significant financial hit.

The good news is, Zac said, The Club has made great gains off field, whilst working
within tight budgets this season. Obviously, this demonstrates to Fans why it does not
allow for extravagant player signings or unexpected payouts of current contracts.
Zac said that he is buoyed by everyone sticking together in tough times and to push the
club forward with a view to long term sustainability, while navigating through
some short-term pain in the men’s program. He further said it was clear that the Club
must continue to work towards unlocking more revenue verticals, so there’s limited
reliance on APL distributions into the future.

5) FAN FORUM
The RSF has had a number of requests to set up another Fan Forum at which
Kaz and Zac could answer Fans’ questions and concerns. This was put to
Zac, and he said that they would be happy to attend a Fan Forum after the
closure of the January Transfer Period and suggested a time in early February.
Given the success of last year’s online Fan Forum (which Simon Hill
chaired), it may be that such a Fan Forum will be held online again.

OTHER ACTIVITIES SINCE LAST UPDATE
Since my last President’s Update:

  • The RSF has undertaken a Sausage Sizzle at the Club’s Official Season Launch
    Day
  • and also, a “Swifty Style” Wristband-making opportunity at the same event which
    was greatly enjoyed by the Women’s Team who sat down making wristbands with
    fans of all ages. We thank Marilyn Roberts who sponsored this event for the RSF.
    RSF Secretary John Lang organised a mini-bus road trip for a number of fans to
    the Unite Round in Sydney which we all thoroughly enjoyed, and which gave us
    the opportunity to meet and sit with the families of new recruits Jacob Brazete
    and Tish Woods during the Men’s and Women’s matches. An RSF souvenir coffee
    mug was presented to Simon Hill by John Lang on behalf of the RSF during the
    Unite Round.
  • The RSF made a formal Submission to the 100 Day Review of Brisbane 2032
    Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure Committee, regarding the
    redevelopment of Perry Park as a Boutique Stadium to be the home of Football in
    Queensland.

The RSF Management Committee wishes Members, the Brisbane Roar
Football Club and all Football Fans and Supporters a very happy and fulfilling
New Year and looks forward to the continued success of our Roar Women and
with hope, the rebuilding of our Roar Men into a team to return us to our past
glories.
Neil Ballment
President RSF