With the introduction of a National Second Tier of Australian football now firmly on the horizon, a new club – Brisbane United FC – has emerged with the goal of becoming one of Queensland’s representatives in the new national competition, mooted to kick off in 2024.
Led by current Wynnum Wolves President Rabieh Krayem and Brisbane strikers Chairperson Julianna Suranyi, Brisbane United FC’s collaborative model has been established to bring the local football community together and ensure the city’s grassroots clubs and players are true stakeholders in the future of the sport.
The founding members of the club are Wynnum Wolves FC and Brisbane Strikers FC, who between them boast an undeniably strong and proud history in football in Brisbane. These two clubs have already been joined by Virginia United FC, who are the first tier one club to sign under the Brisbane United umbrella. Soon, other interested clubs will be invited to join and access the benefits of a holistic coaching program designed to develop and prepare local players for top level football.
Brisbane United will have three main strategic goals – to represent all of Brisbane in the new National Second Tier; unite the local community for the good of the game; and make the sport more affordable for young players.
“Both Wynnum and Strikers have been working extremely closely on the Brisbane United bid for many months now. At Strikers, we value and respect the incredible work that Mr. Krayem and the team have been doing to get to this point. Both Mr. Krayem and the Strikers Board see this as a way to unite the football community in Brisbane, create foundations for further player opportunities and begin the elevation of this beautiful game to the broader Brisbane community. In essence, we are putting our beliefs into action,” Suranyi said.
“The Brisbane United model will give our city a club that all of Brisbane can feel is their own. We are proud that Virginia United has already embraced and validated our philosophy around this inclusive model by joining as our first Tier 1 member club.
“I’m both proud and confident of this bid, and sincerely feel it won’t be long until other Brisbane clubs come on board and participate,” Suranyi said.
Suranyi echoed what Wynnum Wolves President Rabieh Krayem said, “it was the goal of the new entity to see all Brisbane-based footballers and football supporters adopting Brisbane United as their own National Second Division club while remaining loyal to their own grassroots club.
“Our model presents no barrier to this outcome as Brisbane United will never play against local clubs – it will represent them by providing a true pathway for young Brisbane players to aspire to.
“The ultimate goal is to see players from Wynnum, Strikers, Virginia and other clubs in Brisbane go on to play for Brisbane United in the future.”
Brisbane United’s collaborative model stems directly from its governance structure which allows local clubs to become members in a connected pyramid. These clubs will then benefit from what will grow to be an expansive football network, consisting of all levels of government, corporate Brisbane, education providers and fellow grassroots clubs. The club is being advised by world-leading corporate consulting company PwC.
If the Brisbane United FC National Second Tier application is successful, United will play out of Queensland’s home of football, the iconic Perry Park, and promote an unashamedly Brisbane-centric identity.
The club’s logo is a modernisation of the logo used by the original Brisbane United, which was formed in 1991. It features the colours of the city, with the iconic Story Bridge and compass point star device a nod to history. The ’91 side was created to compete in the NSL (National Soccer League) with similar intentions – to collaborate and ensure the city was visible on the national stage.
Football Australia will soon begin reviewing all EOI proposals before inviting selected clubs to move to the next phase and submit a more detailed proposal for inclusion.
Suranyi said the support and commitment that has been shown for the Brisbane United FC concept so far positions the club strongly for a successful bid.
“We have had multiple discussions with all levels of government, and in particular with the Lord Mayor’s office and State Government agencies who have been both very supportive and very positive,” she said.
All Brisbane Strikers FC members can jump onto the new Brisbane United FC website now via www.brisbaneunited.com.au to register for newsletters and provide their details for the release of upcoming membership packages.
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