Zwaanswijk keen for Foxtel NYL to commence
Mariners Foxtel National Youth League coach Patrick Zwaanswijk says he’s pleased with his side’s progress ahead of their opening match of the NYL 2013/14 season.
Central Coast Mariners Foxtel National Youth League (NYL) Head Coach Patrick Zwaanswijk says he-s pleased with his side-s progress ahead of the junior Mariners- opening match of the NYL 2013/14 season against Adelaide United Youth in Tuggerah this Sunday.
Central Coast supporters will notice many changes to the Mariners- Foxtel NYL side that took to the pitch last season, with a host of local young guns set to appear for the yellow and navy this campaign.
“There are a lot of new players and new faces that have come in compared to last season,” Zwaanswijk said. “All of the boys are doing well, but it-s going to take some time to get the best out of them. They give every training session 100 per cent and I couldn-t be happier with how they-re going at the moment.”
“We trained really well this week and everyone is fit. Everyone should understand their roles and responsibilities. There are a lot of players for me to choose from, so hopefully I can put out a really strong team and we get our first win in the NYL.”
Zwaanswijk says there a few players that Mariners fans ought to keep a close eye on this campaign.
“Jesse Curran is a 17-year-old who came from Blacktown City, he is doing well for us and he-s been working with the first team at times with Joshua Bingham. There are a lot of local players in the side with the likes of Nathan Verity, Liam O-Dell and young Daniel McFarlane,” he said.
The former Dutch defender admits his main focus is to develop young local players into Hyundai A-League professionals in season six of Australia-s premier youth competition.
“My goal is to develop the players to a higher level. The higher the level, the closer they will go to making the (Hyundai) A-League. In the end, it-s up to them how far they can go. I want to find one or two players this season and see them sign a first team contract with the Mariners,” he said.
“I want to win the league, that is my personal mentality and I-ve told the boys that as well. It-s not a priority of the Club for us to win it, but you always have to want to have that willingness to win every game and that-s what we-ll be doing as soon as we go out there.”
Zwaanswijk admits it will be a challenge for him having to watch the action against the junior Reds from the sideline on Sunday.
“It-s going to be a lot different sitting on the bench. I am a part of the team just as much as everyone else, but the only thing is I can-t help them on the field. As soon as the game starts it-s up to them,” he concluded.
Central Coast Mariners Youth vs. Adelaide United Youth - Foxtel National Youth League Round 1 Sunday 27 October, 2013 Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, Tuggerah Kick-off: 10:30am Admission: Free
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