THERE is a serious possibility the Newcastle Jets could play an A-League trial in the Football Mid North Coast area next September, according to board chairman Mike Parsons.
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Mr Parsons said negotiations are on-going with his organisation and the Newcastle Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna.
However, Mr Parsons is concerned this could be thwarted by a lack of a suitable venue in the FMNC area that stretches from Bulahdelah to South West Rocks.
“At time time we’re looking at – mid to late September – we’ll be getting towards the end of the soccer and rugby league seasons where semi-finals and grand finals will be played. We might not have an adequate ground available,’’ Mr Parsons said.
Ideally the match would be played at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium.
However, that will be the venue for the FMNC premier league grand final in late September and is sure to host major Group Three Rugby League matches in the semi-final series. Group Three's grand final is set for Sunday August 27.
Mr Parsons confirmed the Harry Elliott Oval at Tuncurry would be the next preferred option if the regional stadium is unavailable. It is unlikely the ground would have a heavy schedule of matches booked at that time of year. FMNC has previously used the complex for grand finals.
“We would need a ground that is fenced and also with suitable dressing shed facilities and Tuncurry certainly has those,’’ he said.
Mr Parsons said these would be the requirements from the A-League.
“Obviously we would also need a playing surface up to the necessary standard for an A-League fixture. That’s the problem we face sharing major grounds in our area with the other codes,’’ Mr Parsons said.
Mr Parsons doesn’t think Taree’s Jack Neal Oval would be adequate despite improvements carried out there in the past two years by Taree City Rugby League Club, although he would be happy to speak to club officials.
“I haven’t been to the ground for a number of years. I know the ground surface is in good order but I’m not sure about the dressing shed facilities,’’ Mr Parsons said.
He added the Jets are keen to build their profile in this area and he believes the club could be regular visitors in the seasons to come, either playing trial games or conducting coaching clinics for juniors and generally assisting with development.
Mr Parsons said ultimately football needs its own stand-alone facility in the Mid North Coast while he has urged clubs to look into every avenue to improve amenities for players and spectators at their grounds.
He confirmed the board is currently speaking with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council regarding the development of land in Port Macquarie.
“We’re hoping this will be supported in principal so we can go about the funding through grants at State and federal level,’’ he said.
Mr Parsons said FMNC will work towards this becoming a reality within the next 10 years to help cater for the burgeoning numbers of players within the zone. The number stands at nearly 7000 this year from under sixes through to the premier league.
“Building a regional facility is our dream – and it’s not an impossible one,’’ Mr Parsons said.