Brisbane Roar have announced a new head coach for the 2016/17 W-League season with former assistant coach Melissa Andreatta taking over from Belinda Wilson.     

“The chance to lead a team with so much history in a club that is so much a part of the Brisbane community is an exciting opportunity,” said Andreatta.

"I'm really looking forward over the coming weeks for us to work hard together and prepare for a successful season."

Having served as the National Training Centre and Football Queensland Girls State Team coach, Andreatta is no stranger to the Queensland setup nor is she a stranger to the national team setup with her role as U17 Assistant Coach in 2013/14.  Andreatta has also been a part of the FFA's Female Coaches Mentor Programme alongside fellow Queenslander and Canberra United coach Rae Dower.

Andreatta (left) with Wilson (right) during the 2014 season Andreatta (left) with Wilson (right) during the 2014 season

Melissa Andreatta is expected to work closely with A-League head coach John Aloisi as the Roar looks to align the playing style of both their women's and men's teams going forward.

“In a club that has so much history and success, there’s an expectation to succeed but it’s also about the way you do that,” Andreatta said. 

“We’re already preparing and building for that opening game both on and off the field to ensure we have a strong start to the season. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing where our expectations, commitment and dedication are going to take us this season.”

It is a good sign for the Roar to see the women's and men's side melding with John Aloisi stating:

"It is important that we have buy in from every individual who has the privilege to work for Brisbane Roar."

"She [Andreatta] understands the playing style we want to implement at our football club and we are excited about the upcoming W-League season."

The announcement of Andreatta as the new coach adds to the off-season of change for the two time W-League champions. It is believed that Belinda Wilson, who had been at the helm for four seasons, has not had her contract renewed. Wilson led the Roar to the 2012/13 premiership and coached Brisbane to the 2014 W-League grand final, where the lost to Melbourne Victory.  A tumultuous 2014 season saw the Roar fail to qualify for their finals for the first time but Wilson's side bounced back in 2015/16 to return to the finals only to go out in a pulsating penalty shoot out with eventual champions Melbourne City.

The off-season has also seen former coach and 2015/16 Assistant Coach Jeff Hopkins departing the Roar to head up Melbourne Victory.

Andreatta is the Roar's third coach in their history following on from Hopkins and Wilson.

Brisbane Roar's first match of the season sees them take on traditional rivals Sydney FC at home on 5 November 2016.