Football boost

25 Oct, 2010 04:00 AM

NEWCASTLE Permanent has kicked off a major sponsorship of Northern NSW Football, which includes the innovative Centres of Excellence Program.
The Centres of Excellence Program offers talented junior footballers from Port Macquarie the chance to hone their skills through an elite-coaching schedule conducted during the off-season.

Newcastle Permanent CEO Terry Millett said the Centres of Excellence Program delivered a wonderful opportunity for youngsters to improve their playing ability and help them reach their full potential.

“The Centres of Excellence Program has been designed to identify talented young players in regional areas like Port Macquarie and provide them with the chance to be exposed to elite coaching techniques and training disciplines they would normally not have access to,” he explained.

“Newcastle Permanent is excited to be involved in a program that offers promising youngsters the opportunity to improve their skills in a sport that has the highest rate of participation in Australia.

“Northern NSW Football shares many of our values such as trust and integrity, innovation and customer focus and we look forward to supporting them into the future.”

Newcastle Permanent’s sponsorship commitment covers a range of programs including: Emerging Athletes Program, Northern NSW boys and girls state teams, State Youth League, State Championships and Summer League and Centres of Excellence.

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said they were delighted to have the support of Newcastle Permanent for the 2010-11 season.

“Northern NSW Football has more than 200 clubs made up of approximately 50,000 girls, boys, men and women,” he said.

“Our members appreciate the support Newcastle Permanent has given the code, which can only strengthen and help us grow our player base in Northern NSW.”

Northern NSW Football manager Dave Smith said the Centres of Excellence Program was trialled last year in four regions, Tamworth, Armidale, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, with great success.

In 2010, the program is being expanded to a total of seven areas.

“The Newcastle Permanent Centres of Excellence Program is one way we can build up our youth in regional NSW and provide them with the skills to move to the next level,” he added.

“The program challenges juniors to develop problem-solving techniques on the field and enhance tactical play while improving physical, technical and mental speed.”

The Port Macquarie Centre of Excellence squad features Olivia Burn, Beechwood; Hannah Forwood, Lake Cathie; Courtney Fullbrook, Lake Cathie; Angus Guihot, Lake Cathie; Jesse Kerfoot, West Kempsey; Stephanie Mackedie, Wauchope; Tom Morgan, Beechwood; Jayden Pleasance, Port Macquarie; Will Rogers, Lake Cathie; Chloe Rootes, Aldavilla; Noah Stokes, Lake Cathie; Angus Thurgate, Port Macquarie; Connor Walsh, Port Macquarie; Nicholas Wright, Aldavilla; and Harry James, Yarravel.

http://www.portnews.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/football-boost/1977340.aspx?storypage=0