Academy

[marinermick]

Central Coast Mariners
Media Release
Monday, 18 June 2007



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Mariners Youth Academy makes Hyundai A-League history


The Central Coast Mariners today unveiled the final squad members of their fledgling Youth Academy in a landmark progression for the youth development and talent identification potential of the Hyundai A-League.

The Mariners Youth Academy is the first of its kind in the Hyundai A-League and a further endorsement for the Central Coast’s ambition to become the centre of excellence for football in Australia.


In association with Central Coast Football, the Central Coast’s local football governing body, the Mariners have established the Youth Academy to expand upon the unique and unparalleled straight-line pathway for promising footballers on the Central Coast to realise their Hyundai A-League aspirations.



Central Coast footballers are now able to be identified by their local club, before progressing to the Mariners Youth Academy and ultimately to the representative set up offered by Central Coast Football through their Central Coast Lightning program.


Once at the Central Coast Lightning, the official feeder club to the Mariners, players will be one step away from a Hyundai A-League berth with their local club, as best exemplified by current Mariners squad members Nigel Boogaard, Bradley Porter, Matt Simon and Matthew Trott, each of whom have experience with the Lightning prior to inking deals with the Mariners.



"As we have maintained from day one, our aim is to become the centre of excellence for football in Australia and we see the establishment of our Youth Academy as an absolutely imperative and crucial step to our long-term ambitions," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

"In nearly three Hyundai A-League seasons, we’ve been quite blatant in promoting local talent before looking elsewhere, and you only need to look at our records to see that we’ve used eight players either born or raised on the Central Coast in competitive fixtures and a further six in trial matches.



"For a region of only 300,000 people, this in an incredibly high ratio and with the introduction of our Youth Academy, this ratio will only increase in the coming years.


"There is no longer any need for the Central Coast’s best footballers to take their fledgling careers to Sydney or elsewhere, as on the Central Coast, through our Youth Academy and representative structure in association with Central Coast Football, we have established Australia’s premier talent identification and youth development program."


The Mariners Youth Academy features two squads, one for 15 and 16-year-olds and one for 17 and 18-year-olds, each of which train weekly at the Mariners’ Jubilee Oval training base under the guidance of Mariners coaching staff and squad members, before returning to their respective clubs for weekend matches.

Each member of the Mariners Youth Academy has been sourced from either one of the Central Coast’s 22 local clubs, from Central Coast Football’s representative program – the Central Coast Lightning, or from the repatriation of Central Coast youths playing in Sydney or Newcastle.

Several Mariners Youth Academy members have already been tested at senior level in yellow and navy.

Graham Toope and Adam Woodbine made appearances off the bench for the Mariners in the inaugural Central Coast Challenge Cup at Pluim Park in April, and Ian McAndrew, who aside from taking part in the aforementioned fixture, has also made an appearance for the Mariners against Malaysia and in Hong Kong at the Philips Lighting Soccer 7’s.

Former Socceroo and Mariners marquee defender Tony Vidmar has also taken up a senior coaching role with the Youth Academy, and along with Central Coast Lightning Head Coach John McClafferty, led the senior squad into their competitive debut last Wednesday, 13 June, when they took on Spirit FC’s Grade 20 line up at Christie Park.

Brent Kayes, selected from the Central Coast Lightning’s Under 18’s squad, netted the Mariners Youth Academy’s historic first goal in an entertaining 1-1 draw – a commendable result for the Mariners’ young guns given it was their first ever competitive hit out against a side currently topping the state’s third-tier youth competition.



"We’re excited by what jewels we may uncover from our current Youth Academy line ups," said Gorman.

"At this stage, it is a very real possibility that each Under 20 player in our Hyundai A-League squad will be a local player and this situation is likely to repeat each season, meaning some of our senior Youth Academy squad is quite possibly two years away from selection in a senior Hyundai A-League squad, which is an exceptionally exciting opportunity for every young footballer on the Central Coast."


Junior Squad (15 and 16-year-olds) Ashley Balcombe, Daniel Bird, Scott Briggs, James Brooker, Dane Chambers, Alex Cronin, Kurt Dimmock, Cameron Donovan, Matt Goodwin, Stephen Gray, Dale Hall, Matt Hogan, Hayden Mole, Liam Norton, Jay Pilson

Senior Squad (17 and 18-year-olds) Dane Carroll, Patrick Dalton, Aaron Drinkwater, Dane Fearnley, Joshua Hall, Aaron Hammond, Brent Kayes, Eric Koelma, Matt Lawrence, Ian McAndrew, Nathan Moseley, Ben Peerenboom, Jed Prater, Brady Smith, Graham Toope, Brenton Westley, Adam Woodbine

The Mariners are next in action at Cromer Park this Tuesday, 19 June, when they take on NSW Premier League side Manly United. Kick off is at 7pm.

Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.


Ends

[northernspirit]

fantastic news for australian football not just us lucky ones on the coast!

[thesandman]

This is fantastic - great to see the Mariners giving so much to the local area by providing these pathways for our local talent. Football on the coast can only become stronger. Also, I think it's critical for all HAL clubs to become a part of their community in this fashion.

That, and I think this lays the groundwork for the necessary structure should we eventually see a youth competition or 'reserve grade' operating under the HAL

[marinermick]

thesandman said:

This is fantastic - great to see the Mariners giving so much to the local area by providing these pathways for our local talent. Football on the coast can only become stronger. Also, I think it's critical for all HAL clubs to become a part of their community in this fashion.

That, and I think this lays the groundwork for the necessary structure should we eventually see a youth competition or 'reserve grade' operating under the HAL

some of the academy boys are from sydney as well

[Pete]

This is fantastic news indeed!
But I was wondering if they have plans for some girls/ young women in the Academy too? Maybe in the future?

[~Floss~]

petethebusdriver said:

This is fantastic news indeed!
But I was wondering if they have plans for some girls/ young women in the Academy too? Maybe in the future?

Maybe after the womens' A-league gets established so the academy players have something to progress to.
So, as you said, "maybe in the future"

[kevrenor]

marinermick said:

thesandman said:

This is fantastic - great to see the Mariners giving so much to the local area by providing these pathways for our local talent. Football on the coast can only become stronger. Also, I think it's critical for all HAL clubs to become a part of their community in this fashion.

That, and I think this lays the groundwork for the necessary structure should we eventually see a youth competition or 'reserve grade' operating under the HAL

Some of the academy boys are from sydney as well

Yes, for U15/16 Ashley Balcombe and Stephen Gray, and U17/18
Aaron Drinkwater and Joshua Hall.

Spirit (ie. linked with GHFA) are a feeder club too, but of course the press release was for specific Coast consumption. Benny knows how to spin don't you mate?

[lrr]

marinermick said:

Junior Squad (15 and 16-year-olds) Ashley Balcombe, Daniel Bird, Scott Briggs, James Brooker, Dane Chambers, Alex Cronin, Kurt Dimmock, Cameron Donovan, Matt Goodwin, Stephen Gray, Dale Hall, Matt Hogan, Hayden Mole, Liam Norton, Jay Pilson

Senior Squad (17 and 18-year-olds) Dane Carroll, Patrick Dalton, Aaron Drinkwater, Dane Fearnley, Joshua Hall, Aaron Hammond, Brent Kayes, Eric Koelma, Matt Lawrence, Ian McAndrew, Nathan Moseley, Ben Peerenboom, Jed Prater, Brady Smith, Graham Toope, Brenton Westley, Adam Woodbine

is ty owens involved at all?

[marinermick]

lrr said:

ma said:

Junior Squad (15 and 16-year-olds) Ashley Balcombe, Daniel Bird, Scott Briggs, James Brooker, Dane Chambers, Alex Cronin, Kurt Dimmock, Cameron Donovan, Matt Goodwin, Stephen Gray, Dale Hall, Matt Hogan, Hayden Mole, Liam Norton, Jay Pilson

Senior Squad (17 and 18-year-olds) Dane Carroll, Patrick Dalton, Aaron Drinkwater, Dane Fearnley, Joshua Hall, Aaron Hammond, Brent Kayes, Eric Koelma, Matt Lawrence, Ian McAndrew, Nathan Moseley, Ben Peerenboom, Jed Prater, Brady Smith, Graham Toope, Brenton Westley, Adam Woodbine

is ty owens involved at all?

Ty Owens is already playing first grade in Newcastle - a league comparable to that the Lightning play in if not better.

I guess Lawrie rightly believes he is better off developing his skills at that high level in the NBN State League and training with seniors.

[Jesus]

lrr said:

marinermick said:

Junior Squad (15 and 16-year-olds) Ashley Balcombe, Daniel Bird, Scott Briggs, James Brooker, Dane Chambers, Alex Cronin, Kurt Dimmock, Cameron Donovan, Matt Goodwin, Stephen Gray, Dale Hall, Matt Hogan, Hayden Mole, Liam Norton, Jay Pilson

Senior Squad (17 and 18-year-olds) Dane Carroll, Patrick Dalton, Aaron Drinkwater, Dane Fearnley, Joshua Hall, Aaron Hammond, Brent Kayes, Eric Koelma, Matt Lawrence, Ian McAndrew, Nathan Moseley, Ben Peerenboom, Jed Prater, Brady Smith, Graham Toope, Brenton Westley, Adam Woodbine

is ty owens involved at all?

Good to see this forums own Eric Koelma in there

[Perm]

one to watch, brady smith

[offtheball]

Nice spiel from CCFA and the Mariners about the selection process.

Very disappointing then that not one "club" player has been selected from the 16's age group.

[curious]

marinermick said:

lrr said:

is ty owens involved at all?

Ty Owens is already playing first grade in Newcastle - a league comparable to that the Lightning play in if not better.

I guess Lawrie rightly believes he is better off developing his skills at that high level in the NBN State League and training with seniors.

He hasn't played state league since early preseason when he started training with the Mariners. He was on the bench in 1st grade after starting in reserves. If he is playing football at the moment I don't know where it is Mick.

[marinermick]

curious said:

marinermick said:

Ty Owens is already playing first grade in Newcastle - a league comparable to that the Lightning play in if not better.

I guess Lawrie rightly believes he is better off developing his skills at that high level in the NBN State League and training with seniors.

He hasn't played state league since early preseason when he started training with the Mariners. He was on the bench in 1st grade after starting in reserves. If he is playing football at the moment I don't know where it is Mick.

i see

i was positive he was at phoenix

[curious]

offtheball said:

Nice spiel from CCFA and the Mariners about the selection process.

"Speil" hints at "spin" & a presumtion you think it's BS. If that's the case, why?

Well done to the Mariners in leading the way.

[offtheball]

"Spiel" more than hints at spin. My presumption is that some of the club kids are better than some of the selected boys. I am surprised not one 16 year old from a club team made the squad.

Maybe it had to do with attitude at the trials.

Absolutely agree well done to the Mariners for the initiative.

[Andy]

offtheball said:

I am surprised not one 16 year old from a club team made the squad.

There is! Matt Goodwin plays for Umina 16/A's.

[offtheball]

Ah good point! Forgot him as he has played for Lightning for a long time and dropped out this year after the Youth League had commenced so when selected wasn't playing for Umina.

[curious]

offtheball said:

"Spiel" more than hints at spin. My presumption is that some of the club kids are better than some of the selected boys. I am surprised not one 16 year old from a club team made the squad.

Don't be surprised unless you think the coast has a shortage of young talent playing above club level.
As an example of why I say this, the NSWIS northern nsw chapter do their training in lake macquarie with kids of max age of 16. Most kids play NNSW state league, (in U19's through to 1st grade) with only a few younger boys playing SYL. The best age club teams are a world away from SYL ability & the better U16 SYL sides get wiped off the park by the better state league U19 sides. (U19'd btw contain a majority of 15-17 yr olds) A state league U19's side which is about the same standard as lightning youth squad, or a premier youth U18 team would put a cricket score on the best U18's A grd. club team.
Chalk & cheese.
My point being, if a player thinks he has ability & wishes to make an elite youth institute or academy like the Mariners, it will take a lot of luck to get their through playing club grade level football, light years away from the standard of age level youth premier league, SYL, lightning youth & state league.
Any kid with aspirations & ability to go with them, needs to try their butts off to get out of club level football. Thats the first step.
I know a few coast kids that even travel to Hunter sports high for a chance to be seen & play SYL or state league. For those that are not aware, all it takes is a phone call, a few trial traning sessions with the school football squad, the football skill of an average SYL player (any player expecting to be in an academy squad should be at least SYL standard of ability) & the method to travel to school each day. They get top coaching, play against the best sports schools in the state, have the oppurtunity to reach their personal potential (which will never happen at club level) & are "seen" by the right people to get a shot at the next level.
I have noticed your past posts in other threads regarding local club junior football & presume you have personal interest, so I'd hope you at least consider the points made from someone that's been there.

[curious]

i was positive he was at phoenix

He was in preseason Mick.