Canberra Times:Canberra boys can make A-League

I had an article in Canberra Times today(sat). Here it is in case you missed it

Canberra football players now have a route to the A-League.

Lawrie McKinna, manager of A-League Club the Central Coast Mariners says, young Canberrans can get an A-League spot through his club.

The Mariners are coming to town. They will play a pre-season friendly against Capital Football Premier League side Belconnen United at Mckellar Stadium on June 30th, and an A-League pre-season cup match against Sydney FC at Canberra Stadium in early August.

“I watched the Belconnen United Canberra FC game on the weekend and the standard was very good. We will be taking two Canberra boys up for a week’s trial with the Mariners after the Belconnen friendly, and we’ll take two every year from now on. We know the strength of the game down here and I have good scouting contacts like Chris Tanzey and others. We’re always looking for players,” said McKinna

The Canberra Premier League is part-time, with players training a couple of times a week.

“I know the guys can make the A-League. Even a twenty year old can step up. Many guys are late developers physically. We get them up to the Central Coast and put them in for a full week with the likes of Sasho Petrovski, and Tony Vidmar. We can see by the end of the week if they’ve got what it takes.”

“It’s very competitive but we want the best young players. I’ve always had an eye for a young player. Take Mile Jedinak (23). He was playing part-time football in Sydney last year. He came up and trained with us, now he’s part of our starting eleven for season three.”

Football is a tough business. Mariners club captain Noel Spencer and McKinna’s old friend, left midfielder Stewart Petrie were recently released by the club.
“It’s not easy getting rid of players. Stewart is great mate, but I’ve no problem doing it. It’s a professional business and very competitive. I wish the lads all the best with new clubs

Belconnen United Coach Steve Forshaw said linking with the Mariners, “It’s a great opportunity for the players of Belconnen. Players like Nauru Somi, James and Ben Barac, striker David Leet, and David and Stephen Kemp are just a few of our players who might get the chance.

“I’m excited about building closer links with the Mariners. The whole Mariners club have been fantastic and supportive. While we have no A-League club in Canberra yet, we still aim to develop our players to the highest possible level.”

Ex-Socceroo and Mariners Development Officer and Coach Alex Tobin said, “The game has changed. You really need to be physically fit, yes you need the skills, but a skilful player who hasn’t the fitness just won’t make it these days.”

“Players are becoming more specialised. Years ago players could interchange positions, today they play one position and that’s more or less it. Take Socceroo and Italian Serie A Parma player Vince Grella, one of Australia’s best, what he does he does well but he couldn’t play many other places on the park.”

“It’s a problem for A-League clubs. We have a small roster of 21 or 22 players and if players get injured, you need players to be able to switch positions. Specialised players just can’t do it.”

McKinna is upbeat about the A-League, “This A-League is really going places. I remember the dark, dark days in Australian football. At Northern Spirit in the old National Soccer League often players weren’t getting paid, or only occasionally. It was tough going. Now it’s fabulous. The atmosphere at the games is special. Which other code in Australia has people singing, dancing and jumping in unison. At the Central Coast we have a real family atmosphere. When we play in Melbourne we have camera crews chasing us down the street. Walking around Belconnen Mall just now, and people are coming up to me to talk football. Yeah the game has changed.”