City Flexing Off-Field Muscle
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Anthony Napoli/Brisbane City FC
Brisbane City are putting their Queensland football rivals on notice - the club is laying the foundation for a return to its glory days.
The statement of intent follows a highly successful fundraising event for the club last Friday at renowned Brisbane restaurant Gambaro.
Over 240 guests, including a large number of current and potential sponsors, were on hand for the luncheon which included a panel of football legends including Mark Rudan, John Kosmina, Matt McKay,Shane Stefanutto and ex Brisbane City FC player Craig Moore.
The event, which included auctions on football memorabilia, raised over $15,000 for the club to reinvest in its operations.
“It was a very successful day for Brisbane City,” said David Asnicar, who currently chairs the BCFC Sponsorship Committee.
“We have a very strong five year strategic plan in place and we realise to get where we want to be we need corporate support.”
Details of the five-year plan are yet to be confirmed by the club, however it was stated that further announcements would be forthcoming.
It is expected these announcements will follow the appointment of a new club board and president later this year.
“The name Brisbane City carries a lot of strength, but now we are getting corporate backing with hugely successful events and the number of sponsors is increasing dramatically,” Asnicar explained.
A sponsorship drive earlier in the season, headed by Asnicar, has already delivered visible results for City and resulted in significant upgrades to their facilities - including renovating corporate boxes and the playing surface at both Corporate Travel Management Stadium and City’s other training facilities.
In addition, the club continues to invest heavily in coach education in a bid to produce and retain the best junior talent possible and align their development with the objectives of the senior team and the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues.
The club, now in its 63rd year of operation, boasts one of the proudest and most successful histories in Queensland football.
City were the first Queensland sporting team to win a national title when they won back-to-back National Soccer League Cups in 1977 and 1978.
The club competed in the national top tier until 1986 before returning to various Brisbane and Queensland league competitions where the club has won over 30 senior titles.
Media reports in recent weeks have hinted City are preparing to bid for a Hyundai A-League licence, with the national league expected to expand by 2020.
Asnicar remained cryptic on the matter - neither confirming nor denying that was the case.
“We’re not saying we’re doing it. But every indication is that it is a direction that Brisbane City may possibly be in a position to take in the future."
“We’ve been in the national league before and we won two trophies and it would be great if we could be there again - but we have a lot of work to do” he concluded.
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