Australia NewsKids Are The Key To Success: Matheson |
EXCLUSIVE: Endless imports at the expense of home-grown produce is not a sustainable business strategy for North Queensand Fury boss Don Matheson.
While the A-League new boys have succeeded in attracting established players such as Jade North, Ufuk Talay, Robbie Middleby and Brendon Santalab, the club's owner says buying in talent - although essential in putting together an inaugural squad - is not the long term plan.While coach Ian Ferguson is busy trying to sign up his senior squad, his chairman insists the rapid establishment of a youth set-up is just as high a priority.
Work is already underway to establish networks with local leagues and to identify young talent.
The chairman feels having a team that the community can identify with is key to maintaining support.
Matheson told au.fourfourtwo.com: "Getting a youth team in place is a critical thing.
"If you don't have that in place then all you end up doing is just continually importing players. That's not the way we want to go."
Matheson feels attracting big names goes some way to attracting supporters to games but believes supporters love nothing more than seeing home-grown talent pulling on the shirt and fighting for the club they grew up with.
He said: "I think when you have a team that can boast players who have come through that system, are part of the community of which that club is a part of then people want to get behind that.
"As I've said, I want youngsters out there to aspire to play for this club themselves one day and I think that has to be a healthy situation."
It is not clear as yet just when Fury and Gold Coast will be entering the National Youth League though.
As work continues on numerous fronts at the club ahead of the inaugural campaign, Matheson is feeling positive. He said: "We're happy with the position of the club at this point."
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