Fong departure heralds new Roar era

Former Australian youth representatives Kaz Patafta and Zac Anderson will take over the running of the Roar.

Patafta has been appointed chairman and chief executive officer, with Anderson to become the club’s chief operations officer.

Fong has been “recalled” to Jakarta by the Roar’s ownership conglomerate, The Bakrie Group, to work on a “new project”.

Bakrie Group representative Helmi Rahman said: “We’re excited to be welcoming two highly decorated professionals with extensive experience and unique backgrounds to bring tremendous additional value to Brisbane Roar as a brand and top international football club.

“Our new executive team bring a wealth of knowledge, fresh ideas and perspective that will help benefit not only the club but football in Queensland.”

Patafta, who has extensive experience in corporate law. thanked Fong for his service of more than 10 years but said the changes had been made as part of the struggling club’s “new vision”.

“We believe in developing and nurturing young and local talent, so that they can grow as people and as footballers,” said Patafta. whose playing career included a stint with Portuguese giants Benfica. as well as spells with A-League clubs Melbourne Victory and Newcastle.

“Our focus will be to reconnect the club with the football community throughout Queensland and establish a clear elite pathway from club and school football to the professional game,

“Our vision is to not only engage but to support local clubs by working together to grow participation, supporting more boys and girls to play the game.”

Anderson. who has experience in the financial investment sector, having founded Samara Capital, said he and Patafta wanted “to build a club all of Queensland can get behind and is proud of, with a strong core of Queensland talent”.

“Our mission is to be recognised by our fans, community, sponsors, stakeholders and peers as Australia’s most modern and progressive football club and producing Australia’s best talent and product” said Anderson. who had played in the Middle East and Asia, as well as for Gold Coast United, Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and Olympic FC.

Patafta and Anderson have also thrown their support behind recently appointed Roar coach Ross Aloisi, and the club’s new goalkeeper coach Frank Juric.

Originally published as Brisbane Roar appoint new off-field leadership team of Kaz Patafta and Zac Anderson