Grass announced a 28 strong squad for the 2019 league this week. This will be for the first grade and under 20s.

FMNC didn’t field a team in the WPL last season following the loss of a number of players from the 2017 campaign. 

The zone was given dispensation from Northern NSW to remain in the younger age divisions on the proviso FMNC returned to firsts next year.

“It’s been a lot of work, but we’ve got the numbers now,’’ Grass said.

“We have a few of the former players back and a lot of newcomers.’’

A Football Mid North Coast Selection played the Newcastle Jets W-League squad in a friendly at the Zone Field at Taree last month. Grass said this was an important step to the zone returning to the WPL. At the time Grass said he had ‘half a squad’ lined up for next season.

The Jets won 12-0, although the result was inconsequential to FMNC’s preparation.

Since then the numbers have built up to the point where the zone has confirmed a place in the league.

Grass isn’t expecting miracles next year.

“The first thing will be to get them fit because the competition will be faster and more physical than anything they’ve played before,’’ he said.

“But we’ll be competitive, there’s enough talent in the squad to ensure that.’’

Grass understands eight sides will play in the league, with FMNC the northern outpost. All other teams will be based in Newcastle.

“It’s a strong competition, there’ll be Newcastle Jets W-League players coming back and turning out for clubs once their commitments are finished with the Jets

“So this will be a steep learning curve for our players, especially the younger ones,’’ he said.

Grass explained that FMNC did negotiate with some Jets players.

“But the geography was against us – they’re based in Newcastle or Sydney and they just couldn’t guarantee they’d be available when we need them,’’ he said.

However, the zone has attracted footballers from a wide area.

There’ll be players from Tamworth and Woolgoolga in the squad, joining those from Forster-Tuncurry, Taree and the Hastings. The side will train twice a week, alternating between Taree and Port Macquarie. 

Grass said players from Tamworth and Woolgoolga will be given some dispensation regarding training, but he expects them to attend most sessions.

“Otherwise our performances will start to suffer on the park,’’ he said.

Training will start in mid-January although Grass said he’ll organise a meet and greet before Christmas.

The the opening round will be on March 10. Home games will be at the Zone Field at Taree Recreation Centre and Port Macquarie, with the majority of matches on Sundays.

Grass has an experienced coaching staff, with Jonathon Newman in charge of the under 20s while Ben White will be the assistant. Michael Mikolajczyk will be the goalkeeping coach.

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