SOCCER
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CENTRAL Coast chief executive officer Shaun Mielekamp sees the Central West region as “an endless pool” and has vowed to continue to grow the Mariners’ presence in regional NSW.
The navy and golds played the Newcastle Jets in a pre-season trial at Wade Park on Sunday, with the Novocastrians striking the first blow in the F3 derby courtesy of an entertaining 1-nil victory in front of 2142 fans in Orange - Jason Hoffman’s header in the second half a brilliant effort to break the deadlock.
Mielekamp, however, wasn’t overly concerned by the loss on the field.
He said the club was kicking plenty of goals off of it during its week-long stint in Orange.
“We’re looking to grow here. This has been fantastic,” Mielekamp said.
“The open arms we’ve had here from Orange has been overwhelming.
“For us, there’s a strategic direction to make a better impact into regional NSW, and whether than means coming back here next year or coming to Dubbo, doing both, bringing A-League games here, it’s all on the agenda.
“At the moment the feeling is it’s an endless pool ... the more we can do the more rewards we’ll get.”
The Mariners boss was thrilled with the backing of the Orange footballing community, and was buoyed by the larger than expected crowd.
“This is brilliant, this is fantastic,” he said.
“Have a look at the crowds. It’s all kids, it’s all registered players, it’s brilliant. It’s really exciting.
“It’s a growth market for football (in the Central West). It’s on the rise out here, and we’re prepared to play our part to make it grow.”
Dubbed the community club, Mielekamp was enthusiastic about the Mariners’ engagement with the colour city leading into the pre-season A-League game - the competition’s first clash in Orange in eight years.
He said there was an obvious synergy between the regional lifestyles of both the Central Coast and Central West, and the Mariners’ would be naive not to take advantage of the growing brand of football west of the great dividing range.
But is it enough?
The A-League has been in competition for 11 years, and Sunday’s hit-out was just the first trial match in eight years in Orange.
Is that enough to keep people engaged?
“It’s never enough, is really the answer,” Mielekamp conceded.
“But there’s no doubt we put in more effort than I’ve seen from any other A-League club out into the community.
“It’s really about building a supporter base and leaving an impression for football while we’re here.”