Brisbane Roar Women

Brisbane Roar Women carry a piece of history that nobody can take away from them — they won the inaugural W-League championship as Queensland Roar back in 2008-09, and that legacy still runs through this club. Founded in 2008 as a foundation member, the Roar have been a consistent presence in Australian women’s football for nearly two decades. The passionate supporter base in South East Queensland has embraced the women’s team with growing enthusiasm, and Brisbane’s warm climate and football culture make the city a natural home for the women’s game. Here’s what excites me about this club right now: under head coach Alex Smith, the Roar set a club-record 46 goals in the 2024-25 season, signalling serious ambition to return to championship contention. The commitment to playing attacking, entertaining football mirrors the men’s team’s philosophy and has produced some genuinely memorable moments across multiple campaigns.

Team Overview

History

Brisbane Roar Women, originally known as Queensland Roar, made history by winning the first ever W-League Grand Final in 2009, defeating Canberra United 2-0 to claim the inaugural championship. That triumph established the club as pioneers of women’s football in Queensland and set a high standard for the seasons that followed. The early years of the competition saw Brisbane compete strongly, regularly qualifying for finals and developing talented players who went on to represent the Matildas.

As the competition matured and other clubs invested heavily, Brisbane experienced periods of rebuilding and inconsistency. The club cycled through several coaching appointments while searching for the right formula to return to the top. Despite the challenges, the Roar maintained their commitment to producing quality footballers from their youth pathways and continued to attract players drawn to the club’s attacking philosophy and Queensland lifestyle.

The appointment of Alex Smith as head coach brought renewed energy and direction. In the 2024-25 season, Smith’s side broke the club record for goals scored in a single campaign with 46, surpassing the previous mark of 29. The Roar also set new attendance benchmarks, with 3,712 fans attending a standalone women’s fixture at Perry Park. Smith re-signed ahead of the 2025-26 season with a clear mandate to push for finals football and contend for a second championship.

Key Players

• Bente Jansen - A highly regarded Dutch forward whose clinical finishing and intelligent movement have made her one of the most dangerous attackers in the A-League Women since arriving in Brisbane.

• Katrina Gorry - A Matildas legend and one of the most decorated players in Australian women’s football, Gorry brings world-class experience, technical quality, and leadership to Brisbane’s midfield.

• Tameka Yallop - An experienced Matildas international whose versatility, vision, and competitive drive have been invaluable to Brisbane Roar across multiple seasons in the A-League Women.

• Leticia McKenna - A talented young attacker with pace and skill on the ball, McKenna represents the next generation of Queensland football talent emerging through the Roar’s development pathway.

Stadium

Kayo Stadium, formerly known as Suncorp Stadium and located in the inner Brisbane suburb of Milton, is one of Australia’s premier rectangular sporting venues with a capacity of 52,500. While the women’s team also uses smaller venues like Perry Park and Spencer Park for regular season fixtures, Kayo Stadium serves as the flagship for marquee matches and special events. The world-class facilities, excellent sightlines, and central location make it an outstanding venue for football, and the Roar’s growing women’s attendances reflect the increasing appetite for women’s sport in South East Queensland.

NC — Staff sports writer, australiafootball.com