The Central Coast Mariners Foxtel National Youth League (FNYL) side will commence their 2014/15 season at the Club’s Centre of Excellence in Tuggerah this Sunday.
After a couple of months of trials and training, Stu Jacobs’ young guns will take on Brisbane Roar Youth as they seek to get the new season off to a positive start against the Queensland cubs. Â
Kick-off is at 2:30pm and admission is free.
Over the past few months, the Central Coast Mariners youth program has undergone somewhat of an overhaul, with the introduction of many new faces to the run the system plus the establishment of the Hyundai A-League’s first official scouting network.
Indeed, Jacobs will be assisted with the FNYL program this season by Portuguese national Rui TomĂ©. TomĂ© has previously worked as a youth coach with Liga Sagres heavyweights Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, and Boavista, and brings considerable experience to his role and the Club. Â
Steve Lloyd (Physio), Stu Turner (Physio), and Perry Osek (Strength & Conditioning) will also assist Jacobs as he looks to develop the next wave of players for the Mariners’ Hyundai A-League squad.Â
Moreover, this season sees the addition of many fresh youth players at the Club, as well as a number of train-on squad members to ensure the next generation of Central Coast Mariners youth representative are being groomed.
“It’s a fresh group,” Jacobs said of his squad. “We had trials in Sydney in the back end of July and a lot of players have come from those trials. Many are Sydney-based players who have basically relocated to Gosford, so they’re on-site in Gosford which is nice, it means we can train daily with them. The more work we do with the players the better they are going to become.”
“I think the program is exciting, the players have adjusted to it and embraced it, so it’s going well,” he said.
Central Coast Mariners are pleased to provide the following information about its FNYL 2014/15 squad.
Contracted Players:
Jesse Curran:
Jesse Curran returns to the Mariners FNYL for a second season. A classy midfielder, Curran was born in New South Wales but played his junior football with Devenport Strikers in Tasmania, and is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the program. A leader in midfield.
Josh Bingham:
Like Jesse Curran, Josh Bingham is back with Mariners FNYL for a second season. A skilful attacking player, Bingham represented Mariners Academy this season and has previously played with Wollongong Wolves. His know-how in the FNYL will prove handy to the new players, and he’s already spent time around the first team in the Westfield FFA Cup 2014.
Brian Jamba:
Born in Zimbabwe, Brian Jamba is back with the Mariners FNYL for a second season. Most comfortable at right back, Jamba formerly played with Blacktown City Demons. The 18-year-old has an infectious smile and big ambitions in the game.
Adam Pearce:
17-year-old goalkeeper Adam Pearce arrives at Central Coast Mariners FNYL having last season played with Newcastle Jets Youth in the competition. The tall custodian is working closely with John Crawley – the Club’s esteemed goalkeeping mentor – and has also played for Broadmeadow Magic in the Northern NSW State League.
Nicholas Sorras:
Goalkeeper Nicholas Sorras joins Central Coast Mariners FNYL from Sydney Olympic in the National Premier League (NPL) New South Wales competition. Sorras played his junior football with Concord, and like Pearce, is working closely with John Crawley and the first team squad.
Marko Bosnar:
The brother of Central Coast Mariners Hyundai A-League squad member Eddy Bosnar, Marko Bosnar joins Mariners FYNL for the first time in 2014/15. Like his brother, Marko is a tall central defender. Has played his football up until now with Sydney United 58 and APIA in NPL NSW.
Keenan Gibson:
Midfielder Keenan Gibson arrives at Central Coast Mariners FNYL having previously played for Blacktown City and Marconi Stallions in the NPL NSW. Able to play in a variety of positions in midfield, Gibson’s versatility will undoubtedly prove to be an asset for Jacobs’ side.
Jake McGing:
Midfielder Jake McGing represented Western Sydney Wanderers Youth in the FNYL last season. McGing has already been involved with the first team, travelling with the squad to Lismore throughout its Hyundai A-League pre-season camp. McGing came through the New South Wales Institute of Sport program and has also played for Macarthur Rams and Marconi Stallions.Â
Mason Versi:
Mason Versi is a young winger who travelled with the Central Coast Mariners first team squad throughout its Hyundai A-League pre-season tour to Lismore. Versi played his junior football for Blacktown City FC, but has also represented Dapto Dandaloo Fury in Wollongong, and Sutherland Sharks during his time as a youth player.
Lewis Beumie:
Versatile defender Lewis Beumie can be deployed at either left or right back. A Blacktown City junior, Beumie has also played for Bankstown City, Bonnyrigg Whites Eagles, and Parramatta Eagles before. 2014/15 will be Beumie’s first with the Mariners in the FNYL.
Nic Petrillo:
Nic Petrillo is another of the players who has already been in and around the Mariners first team after he was taken to Lismore for the club’s Hyundai A-League pre-season camp. An exciting prospect, Petrillo plays at centre-back. He turned out for NPL NSW outfit Rockdale City Suns last campaign, and has also played for Parramatta FC.
Sam Perre:
Sam Perre is a specialist left winger who joins Mariners FNYL for the first time in 2014/15. After playing his junior football with Macarthur Rams, Perre has since turned out for Blacktown City, Marconi, and Smithfield RSL.
Lachlan Hughes:
Midfielder Lachlan Hughes is another of the Mariners FNYL players with previous experience in the competition after he spent time with Western Sydney Wanderers Youth. A Sydney-born youngster, Hughes played for Marrickville Red Devils in his junior days before linking with Sutherland Sharks.
Train-On Players:
Trent Buhagiar:
Gosford-born striker Trent Buhagiar played for Mariners Academy last season after spending his junior days with Umina Eagles and Southern-Ettalong.
Daniel McFarlane:
A Member of the Mariners FNYL squad in 2013/14, Gosford-born midfielder Daniel McFarlane returns to the program in 2014/15. After turning out for Mariners Academy last season, McFarlane will look to grow as a player under the guidance of Jacobs.
Lachlan Wales:
Versatile winger Lachlan Wales was born on the Central Coast and played with Mariners Academy last season. Deployable on the left or right side, Wales came through the NSW Institute of Sport program and will look to impress as a train-on player this campaign.
Tom Lyons:
Kincumber junior Tom Lyons is most comfortable at attacking midfield or left wing. Born in Gosford Hospital, Lyons has played for Mariners Academy, Parramatta FC, and Bankstown City Lions in the past.
Connor Wilkinson:
Terrigal United junior Connor Wilkinson plays right back or in defensive midfield. Born in Gosford, the local product has played for Mariners Academy, Manly United, Parramatta FC and Central Coast Lightning before.
Patrick Flottmann:
Central defender Patrick Flottmann joins the Mariners FNYL program for the first time in 2014/15. Most recently with Blacktown City, Flottmann has also played with Manly United and Northern Tigers before.
Yianni Spyrakis:
If the name Yianni Spyrakis sounds familiar to Mariners fans, it should. Spyrakis scored against the Mariners for Sydney Olympic in a recent friendly. Born in South Africa, the youngster now joins the Club as a train-on player, and is most comfortable in central defence.
Ally Brown:
Left back Ally Brown joins the Mariners FNYL program for the first time in 2014/15. Born in Hornsby, the youngster played for Central Coast Mariners Academy last season, and has also turned out for Blacktown City, APIA, and NSW Institute of Sport.
Central Coast Mariners Youth vs. Brisbane Roar Youth – Foxtel National Youth League 2014/15 Round 1
When: Sunday 19 October 2014
Where: Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, Tuggerah (1 Bryant Drive)
Kick-off: 2:30pm
Admission: Free
Twitter: @CCMariners #FNYLCCMvBRIÂ
