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RSF Submission to 2032 Olympic Stadium Review

100-day Review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure
Submission by the Roar Supporters Federation Inc January 2025

Who We Are
The Roar Supporters Federation (RSF) is an incorporated supporters’ federation
representing Brisbane Roar FC supporters across Queensland, including the active
supporter groups The Den (which vocally supports the Roar men’s team) and The
Roar Corps (which vocally supports the Roar women’s team). We work closely with
Brisbane Roar FC, a club competing in the National A-League for both men’s and
women’s teams. Additionally, Brisbane Roar FC operates an academy with 2 teams
that participate in the local National Premier Leagues (NPL). The NPL is run by
Football Queensland. The RSF is the voice for thousands of Football (Soccer) fans across Queensland and is well qualified to represent the views of Football Supporters in making this submission, and we have prepared this submission on their behalf.

Our Knowledge and Experience
The Management Committee includes in its numbers, people well credentialled in
team management, community engagement, accounting and finance as well as law.
In 2018, the RSF Management Committee established a subcommittee to explore
the feasibility of building a boutique stadium for Football in Brisbane. This
subcommittee conducted extensive research on the need for such a facility. We
researched types of stadiums, around the world, how they were constructed and the ideal size for Football needs in Brisbane, and particularly the conduct of the National League (the A-League). Consequently, the RSF can speak with knowledge and authority in relation to stadiums for Football. The RSF makes this submission using the framework of the Review’s Objectives and Guiding Principles. In this submission the term Soccer is used in place of the correct term Football to readily distinguish it from the oval-ball football games. Assess infrastructure demand alignment: Confirm that infrastructure projects are strategically chosen based on demand, ensuring they are located in the right places to meet the needs of the Games and support Queensland’s long-term legacy outcomes.
The RSF is convinced that both for the benefit of the 2032 Olympics and for
the support of Queensland’s long term legacy outcomes Brisbane is in
immediate need of a new Brisbane Boutique Stadium to support Soccer in
Queensland.
There is currently no properly equipped or maintained Soccer facility anywhere in
Brisbane or the rest of Queensland for that matter that might be or become the
headquarters and spiritual home of Soccer in Queensland. The current Soccer
facility at Perry Park which comes closest to meeting this need is in particularly poor
condition and totally inadequate for the purpose of being the spiritual home of
Soccer.
Football/Soccer has consistently had one of the highest participation rates of any
ball/football related sports over all age groups as set out in the AusPlay National
Sport and Physical Participation Report (October 2023) see:
https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1122754/AusPlay-National- Sport-and-Physical-Activity-Participation-Report-October-2023.pdf
Unfortunately, in Queensland too many talented Soccer players are lost somewhere
between the semi-professional NPL Football competition and the Professional A-
League Competition. This is in part due to well-funded professional Rugby League
and AFL competitions and the lack of a real Home Ground for Professional Soccer in
Queensland.
Nonetheless Queensland has produced a number of talented players that have
made it onto the world stage as Australian players in world class Soccer Teams such
as Mary Fowler (Manchester City and a Matilda), Mitch Langerak (Borussia Dortmund)
Katrina Gorry (West Ham and Matilda), Kenny Dougall (Blackpool), Lyndon Dykes
(International for Scotland), Hayley Raso (Tottenham and Matilda) Clare Polkinghorn
(Kristianstads DFF and Matilda), just to name a few. There have been a number of
Queensland players who have represented Australia for the Socceroos and the
Matildas.
The RSF believes that a modern centrally located facility in Brisbane for Soccer is
vital for the development of talented Queenslanders through to the fully professional
ranks of the A-League in Australia and eventually into the Socceroos or the Matildas
to represent Australia in the World Game.

What is a Boutique Stadium?
A boutique stadium typically holds around 15,000 spectators and features stand-
alone amenities, including a number of changing rooms as well as conditioning and
sports injury treatment rooms. Catering services, and broadcast facilities including
lighting that meets FIFA’s national and international broadcasting standards is also
vital. Some overseas ventures also included accommodation for visiting teams.
Our research examined similar stadiums worldwide, with consideration for adding
training facilities. While we determined on-site accommodation was unnecessary,
upgraded training facilities would significantly benefit Brisbane’s current stadium
infrastructure. They would offer a more inviting venue to attract teams from our close
neighbours in Asia, which in turn would benefit a larger section of the local
community.

Relevance to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics:-
The development of such a facility in time for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics would
provide a place, which, whilst not necessarily being a performance venue would be
vital to the needs of visiting teams whether Australia or other International Teams in
preparing for competition in any of the Football related sports that will be a part
of the Olympic program.
A redeveloped Perry Park facility would also give Brisbane the ability to host
“warmup/friendly” matches between Olympic participating nations in the build-up to
the Olympic Games. This would make it more attractive for international teams to
come to Brisbane rather than those teams playing those fixtures overseas or in other
States due to lack of a suitable venue.
A redeveloped Perry Park facility might possibly be suitable for staging Olympic
Hockey matches as well.

RSF Proposal
Based upon its own previous research and knowledge of current needs the RSF
respectfully proposes that the Review Committee give favourable consideration to
the construction a boutique stadium at the Perry Park Football ground.
Perry Park is located at 34 Folkestone St, Bowen Hills, QLD 4006. It is considered
by many already as the “Spiritual Home of Football” in Brisbane but is currently in
poor condition, with outdated facilities. The main pitch does require some work;
however, this is mainly due to its inability to handle wet conditions. National A-
League games have had to be postponed due to the condition of the pitch following
Recent heavy rain.
As well as the main competition pitch the Perry Park site already houses:
1. YMCA gym facilities
2. Training pitches, including a synthetic pitch used by Walking Football
Brisbane for weekly competition.
Expanding these facilities to include at least one additional synthetic walking football
pitch would greatly benefit teams training at the venue.

Connectivity and integration:-
The Perry Park site is accessible by both bus and train transport. The Bowen Hills
Railway Station is only 250 metres away from the Perry Park entrance whilst buses
stop immediately outside the entrance. It is reasonably close to the Brisbane CBD
without being restricted by CBD traffic.
It is a convenient venue, accessible by TransLink rail and bus services or by private
bus lines, from any part of Brisbane CBD or suburbs, making it ideal as location for
team training. In its eventual Legacy role, it is already a well-known venue easily
accessible by team fans and supporters.
The RSF accepts and supports the view taken by David Hayward as reported in the
Brisbane Times article https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/olympic-review-to-
be-given-golden-triangle-vision-with-a-hint-of-pineapple-20241121-p5ksh9.html that the Perry Park venue sits easily within his defined “Golden Games Transport Triangle” for ease of transport and business benefit and as such would be readily accessible to other
Olympic venues.

Affordability:-
The RSF has engaged with Six Five Stadium Experience, a Canadian company
specializing in modular stadium construction. Discussions with them indicated that a
15,000-seat stadium could be built for under $60 million, meeting all FIFA standards.
Modular construction offers the advantage of completing the stadium within 12
months of signing a contract. The Six Five stadium would include, A Large broadcast Screen, dressing rooms, catering facilities and undercover seating.
In the view of the RSF such a price from a well credentialled company, is very good
value when other prices in the region of $200 million have been floated.
The RSF would strongly encourage the Review Committee to explore with the
Owners of the Brisbane Roar Football Club, the possibility of a joint venture or some
similar financial arrangement to redevelop the Perry Park site to enable this to be the
home ground of the Brisbane Roar teams (Men and Women) and to allow for its continuing use for other grades of Soccer in Brisbane.
Modular Stadiums Deliver – Scalable Construction:
The stadium can be built in phases, starting with a 15,000-seat capacity and
expanding to 20,000 closer to the 2032 Olympics.

Faster Completion:
Modular construction reduces delays caused by weather, with most work done
off-site in factories, it reduces waste. A modular stadium can be completed within 12 months and be up and running in time to attract visiting teams.

Maximising long-term benefits:-
The RSF also note the following long-term benefits of a redeveloped Perry Park:
1. Versatility: The stadium would cater to all levels of football, from grassroots
clubs to A-League teams, supporting both men’s and women’s teams in all competitions.
2. Improved Pitch: The Brisbane Roar Men’s team currently play at Suncorp Stadium, where pitch quality suffers due to frequent overuse by other sports and
concert events. Suncorp has a national reputation of often being below the standard required for top level football. The Brisbane Roar Women’s team play at Perry Park, where recent matches were postponed due to poor pitch conditions caused by rain.
3. Certainty of Match Venue: Sudden scheduling conflicts caused by priority
being given to larger concert events have often forced the Brisbane Roar
Football Club and its Fans to relocate nationally broadcasted matches despite
confirmed prior bookings having been made at Suncorp Stadium.
4. A-League Professional Matches A boutique stadium would be ideal for A-
League home-and-away matches and other significant football events. It
would concentrate the attendees into a 15,000 person stadium rather than a
50,000 person venue and enhance the atmosphere for the crowd.
5, Supporting Major Competitions:
National Premier League (NPL) for men and women.
Australia Cup, the largest men’s football competition in Australia,
involving over 700 teams
A-League (13 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams, with plans for
expansion)
International Competition – Australia is becoming a more influential part of Asian football and regular competitions are held including the Asian Cup as well as championships for age groups from Under 16 through to Under 23. This smaller stadium would attract more of this sort of competition in the future.

Business Opportunity:
The RSF has also identified the opportunity for the establishment of a local public company to produce modular stadium components which could not only serve local needs but also supply stadiums to other States or perhaps into Southeast Asia, addressing national infrastructure demands. Such an initiative particularly if supported by the Queensland Government, could be an ongoing business, generating income
and employment for Queenslanders.

Long-term Business Legacy:
As David Hayward says a redeveloped Perry Park “would fill a hole in Brisbane’s sport and entertainment market…”. The RSF believes that the redevelopment of Perry Park would be important to add to or even revitalise the Valley/Brekky Creek entertainment precinct and that Restaurants, Coffee Shops and perhaps accommodation facilities might be encouraged to flourish as use of the facility draws many more people into this
area.
The RSF encourages the Review Committee to visit Six Five Stadium Experience’s
website to learn more about their modular stadiums. We believe this cost-effective
approach would greatly benefit Queensland’s preparations for the 2032 Olympics
Venues for other sports could also benefit from this style of design.

Summary:
There exists a priority need for the construction of a suitable home ground for
Queensland’s only A-League professional Men’s and Women’s Football Club.
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics will need suitable training bases and sites for pre-
games “friendlies” for Australian or International Teams in the build-up to the games.
Perry Park sits well within the Golden Games Transport Triangle proposed by David
Hayward and provides good accessibility to other likely Olympic Games sites.
The redevelopment of the existing Perry Park Football Ground site will be ideal for
this purpose, due to its accessibility to transport and to Brisbane City an as well as
the fact that it is not a simple greenfield site.
The construction of a15,000 seat Modular Stadium is affordable and easily
deliverable years before it is needed for the Olympics. There is the possibility of a
cooperative venture with the Owners of the Brisbane Roar Football Club to be
explored.
There are clear long-term benefits for Football/Soccer in Queensland in establishing
a modern facility suitable for the development Football talent in Queensland as well
as the facility’s use for domestic as well as international Football matches.
Football/Soccer is one of the highest participation sports in Australia.
A re-developed Perry Park could be a factor in the revitalisation of the entertainment
area around the Valley/Brekky Creek.
The RSF is grateful for the chance to put this excellent opportunity before the
Review Committee and thanks you for your time and consideration.
If you need any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Neil Ballment John Lang
President Secretary
Roar Supporters Federation Roar Supporters Federation
neilballment@gmail.com secretary@roarfans.com.au
Phone 0490 913 410 Phone 0401 341 702