Cougars coach's uncertain future
Alan Kennedy | 14th June 2012 4:00 AM


Cougars’ Jordan Millar uses his head rather than his pace during Monday’s clash with the NQ Razorbacks.

THERE is little wonder CQ Cougars coach Joe Fenech is more than a little distracted at the moment.

Football's CQ development officer has been in the area for just six months and yet the welcome mat appears set to be pulled from under his feet.

It is not that people are dissatisfied with his work. Quite the opposite, as clubs all around Central Queensland are clambering for him to work with them.

The problem is far more fundamental - it is about job security.

Under the new Australian Premier League format it is expected, but not guaranteed, that Fenech will be the one employed by the successful licence holder for Central Queensland.

Unfortunately that means in eight weeks he is expected to no longer be in the employment of Football Queensland but instead the successful franchise.

For Fenech and his family that means he needs to start thinking of what is in store as early as one month from now.

FQ chief executive Geoff Foster has given assurances that the region won't lose Fenech but that doesn't prevent the coach being just a little nervous about his future.

Fenech is aware that Sunday's match against the Gold Coast Stars at Jardine Park shapes as a massive test for his team.

On Monday the Cougars limited the NQ Razorbacks to just a few opportunities, which is a big improvement on their defensive efforts of previous weeks.

However, that defensive resilience came at a price, with the Cougars able to manufacture only a small proportion of their usual chances in the match.

"I thought we played okay," Fenech said.

"Now we have to get a balance between strengthening our defence and leaving (striker) Sander Waterland isolated up front."

Jared Lancaster will train with the squad this week but Dylan Kussrow and Michael Cay both miss out because of work commitments, caused by a change in training days to compensate for the Razorbacks game being played on a Monday.

Lancaster's extra drive into the penalty area was missed, with Tyler Stross having the pace to get into position without being able to cause damage to the opposition.

With the season almost half over, Gold Coast is yet to register a point and that is a concern for Fenech.

"I don't want them to be the third team to have their first win of the season against us," he said.

Bundaberg and the Razorbacks both had their first wins of the year against the Cougars.

The game with Gold Coast is at 2pm on Sunday.

It is the same kick-off time as the Capras' televised match with Norths.

Fenech said that was another test but this time for those people who say they are supporters of the sport.

"I'm not having a go at rugby league but people have to support the sport they play," he said.

"They want football cheaper but don't support the sport they, or their family, play."



COUGARS SQUAD

The Cougars squad to face Gold Coast at Jardine Park at 2pm on Sunday.

Tim English, Matt Sauer, Dylan Kussrow, Bryce Ruthven, Jan Urban, Rudi Mozr, Tyler Stross, Troy Ruthven, Johnathon Sauer, Jordan Miller, Sander Waterland. Jared Lancaster, Chris Swain, Michael Cay, Jordan Polkinghorne, Edmar Goncalves

http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2012/06/14/cougars-coach-faces-uncertain-future-as-apl-change/

I have just heard that Gold Coast have pulled out of the competition effective immediately.

just got back from the junior fields and they were repeating over the pa system that the cougars game is definitely on at 2pm tomorrow.

WTF... Make their minds up! haha In the Bully (as I know you yourself see everyday for obvious reasons) they say GC won't be coming or something along those lines and now they are?

Too bad they have it at the same time as the Capras (expecting a big crowd at the same time). My brother bought tickets for the Capras game, but I'll be going for the laugh mostly (I prefer the Tigers, even though I'm born and bred here).

Cap Cougars vs Gold Coast Stars is definitely on tomorrow but beyond this weekend it appears the Gold Coast side will fold. Unless of course either Football Qld or a white knight comes to their rescue (both very unlikely).

It's a massive kick in the guts for the QSL. This would be the second team in two season to collapse during the season proper. Such a shame for a comp that (besides GC) is providing the best standard in its history. I was at the QAS vs Strikers game tonight and the quality of the play was fantastic. And of course the Strikers beat the Young Socceroos 3-1 in midweek.

The QSL bashers will be out in force this week which is a shame. Hopefully this won't stop the momentum towards the APL in 2013.

i would like to see those people who tried to rescue GCU revive them in the APL, gold coast really needs a presence in football, surely enough of the GCU faithful would still get behind a team in the APL.

That is happening. And timely enough there was some chatter only last night on the GCU supporters facebook page about ticketing etc. The wheels are in motion.

FOOTBALL QLD MEDIA RELEASE

CEO Football Queensland Geoff Foster said “I was astounded and disappointed to receive a text message from Ahmed Sokarno at 10.35pm last evening advising the immediate withdrawal of Gold Coast Stars from the QSL. We spend over two hours discussing these matters last Monday and I understood we had an agreed position.”

Ahmed had approached Football Queensland in writing on Thursday demanding Gold Coast Stars be given exclusive participation rights to represent the Gold Coast in the new Australian Premier League and also an exclusive supply agreement to a soon to be launched schools program. After Football Queensland did not give those guarantees, Ahmed has taken the decision to withdraw both the senior and under 19 teams.

Football Queensland will explore it’s options to keep the teams going and the senior squad is definitely flying to Rockhampton tomorrow to complete the round.

The primary focus is the welfare of the playing group having regard to the demise of Gold Coast United earlier in the year. Foster said “this is a serious double blow to the strongest area outside Brisbane within Queensland. After losing the A-League and National Youth League licences in March, this withdrawal potentially leaves no representative pathway for over ten thousand participants. That is simply not an option. I count Ahmed as a friend and cannot reconcile how he could abandon his players in this way.”

Football Queensland will speak with Gold Coast Football Ltd and other parties who have lodged an expression of interest to participate in the new Australian Premier League from season 2013 to ascertain their willingness to get involved earlier. Foster would not rule out Football Queensland itself managing the team for the remainder of the season. “we will meet with the playing and coaching group tomorrow and Tuesday to keep them informed of developments but they can be assured we will not abandon them” Foster said.

Ends.