The Foxtel National Youth League season commenced on Saturday, November 10, with the Mariners’ Youth squad playing away to Canberra United.
In the lead up to the game, the Mariners confirmed the appointment of, Ray Junna, as the youth team’s Head Coach. After being appointed as a Hyundai A-League Assistant Coach by, Mike Mulvey, at the commencement of preseason, Junna has also been chosen to be at the helm of the club’s National Youth League team for their eight-week season. Junna boasts a wealth of coaching experience, including Football Federation Australia’s Socceroos’ Video Analyst, Australian Institute of Sport Assistant Coach Men’s Football Program, and, Canberra United W-League Head Coach and Coach of the Year in 2010. Michael Glassock (The Entrance Bateau Bay/ Killarney District junior) earned the honour of wearing the captain’s armband this season, after leading the Academy boys out during the NPL season.
The Central Coast Mariners also announced that Pinnacle had thrown their support behind the club’s Youth Team by signing on as the front of shirt partner. Junna said he was excited to work with the next crop of emerging Mariners’ stars. “The key focus is to develop players who will go on to make an impact in the A-League,” Junna said.
“Results are important as they are important to development, so it is a balancing act. “I’m really excited for the season ahead, it’s great to be able to work with such a young group of players in an A-League environment. “Our squad has exciting talent from, Joey Jevtic and Dylan Ruiz-Diaz, both 16 year olds, to, Josh Nisbet and Charles M’Mombwa, who have already earned time in the A-League set up, so it’s a good blend of young and younger,” Junna said.
The Mariners Youth League squad consists of: Manley Barnett, Quentin Cheng, Rhett De Silva, Nick Faust, Michael Glassock (c), Daniel Hall, Matthew Hatch, Joey Jevtic, Kyle Johnson, Michael Katsoulis, Charles M’Mombwa, Lewis Miller, Aidan Munford, Joshua Nisbet, Emmanuel Peters, Dylan Ruiz-Diaz, Jordan Smylie and Alec Vinci. Home Games will be played at the Mariners’ Centre of Excellence, Tuggerah, against: Newcastle Jets Youth (Saturday, November 17, 10:30am); Sydney FC Youth (Sunday, December 9, 4:30pm); Western Sydney Wanderers Youth (Saturday, December 15, 10:30am); Canberra United (Saturday, January 12, 10:30am).
Source: Media release, Nov 8 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners