Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Steven Gibson Photography/Brisbane Roar FC

Brisbane Roar have confirmed Josh McCloughan as the club’s youth team coach for the upcoming Foxtel National Youth League season.

McCloughan’s appointment, which has been rumoured through the Queensland football community for several weeks, was confirmed as part of an announcement of a 16 player squad for the Young Roar’s forthcoming Foxtel National Youth League season.

It is anticipated that the majority of the squad will be retained for Young Roar’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2016 campaign should they perform well in the Foxtel National Youth League, with McCloughan also confirming that he will carry on as the team’s coach into national second tier competition.

The announced Young Roar squad includes Australian youth representative and PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Young Player of the Year Nick D’Agostino, and fellow 2015 stand-outs Mitchell Hore, Tomislav Bilic and Cameron Crestani.

External additions include talents identified from PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs including Harrison Sawyer (Western Pride), Jayden Prasad (Redlands United) and Joseph Champness (Moreton Bay United).

McCloughan replaces John Sime in charge of the Young Roar team, with Sime remaining with the club in a talent identification role.

McCloughan played five seasons for the Roar in the Hyundai A-League before moving into coaching and previously coached Queensland Academy of Sport in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2013 Senior Men’s division

Last season he guided the QAS/Brisbane Roar Under 18 team as part of the National Training Centre program.

McCloughan told the official Brisbane Roar website that he was excited by the challenge ahead and stressed that player development, not results, was his focus over the summer months.

"I am excited to be given the opportunity to work with these aspiring players," McCloughan said.

"(Roar Head Coach John Aloisi) has an excellent understanding of youth development through his coaching pathway, so to work closely with the club's new vision and philosophy is one I not only believe in, but are very much looking forward to."

Young Roar kick-off their Foxtel National Youth League campaign this Saturday away to Perth Glorý and will play their first home fixture of the season against Melbourne Victory the following weekend.

They  will play all their Foxtel National Youth League home games at Cleveland Showgrounds, the home ground of PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland club Redlands United.

Brisbane Roar FC - Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016 Squad

Goalkeepers: Tomislav Bilic, Andre Jannese

Defenders: Jaiden Walker, Cameron Crestani, Tom Jarrod, Mark Rodic;

Midfielders: Thomas Miller, Liam O'Bryan, Mitchell Hore, Adam Sawyer, Daniel Driver;

Forwards: Dane Ingham, Nicholas D'Agostino, Harry Sawyer, Jayden Prasad, Joseph Champness.