Claire Coelho, goal keeper from the WPL Newcastle Jets who recently signed with Sydney FC, congratulated the players and presented their playing strips.

Claire was a local High Performance Squad player and shared how Football Mid North Coast was a key part of her pathway to success as a professional athlete.

“Claire has a bright future in front of her and it would not be a surprise if she ends up wearing a Matilda’s jersey one day,” said Kathie Bestwick, coordinator and president of Football Mid North Coast’s High Performance committee.

Football Mid North Coast were delighted to have sponsors on hand to participate in presenting the players their 2017 uniforms.

These included long term WPL sponsor John Patrick Isuzu, new sponsor and host Laurieton United Services Club, Reeman Constructions, Tacking Point Lions Club, Affordable Plumbing, Growers Market, First State Conveyancing, Perpetual Plaques, Bestwick Earth Moving, Australian Sports Nutrition and Nabiac Village Medical Centre.

The event also revealed the new High Performance Squad uniform which, for the first time, features a cohesive and consistent look across the male and female teams.

“This was a key strategy of the newly formed committee to bring the squads together as a more unified group to represent the mid north coast region,” Ms Bestwick said.

Chairman Mike Parsons reminded everyone of the extraordinary participation rate of football and the importance of developing our local talent.

High Performance Players come from across the region from areas including Coffs Harbour, South West Rocks, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Forster, Taree and Bulahdelah.

The squads train twice a week, once in Port Macquarie and once in Taree requiring enormous commitment from both players and families.