Words & Image: Nick Crockford, Moreton Bay United

Moreton Bay United are furthering their commitment to football development in the Moreton Bay region following a training visit to community club Samford Rangers last week.

Jets exchanged their usual trainings facilities at Wolter Park for Rangers’ facilities at Samford Parklands, which hosted the training and coaching session.

Rangers, who currently compete in Football Brisbane's Capital League 2 competition, are one of fourteen community clubs allocated to Jets by Football Queensland and Football Federation Australia as part of the National Premier Leagues.

Jets head coach Terry Kirkham and assistant Dom Hudak put Jets high flying squad through a full-training session, while Jets Technical Director Salvatore Sottile ran a coaching seminar with Rangers members.

Les Moodley, Moreton Bay United’s Sports and Recreation Officer, described the evening as “an amazing display of co-operation between two clubs”.

Moodley added: “(It)will go a long way towards football development at grassroots level with the ultimate beneficiaries being the kids and community as a whole”.

Rangers Technical Director Arno Tretter said: “We’ve never had anything like this before. It’s a first and we see this as a real positive for us working together.’’

The sentiments were echoed by Garry Bromfield, Rangers’ Director of Football.

“Contact between teams is crucial for developing an association,” he said, “It’s good for the game.

“This is only our second year at the new ground, we’re looking to grow and we need to identify pathways for kids to progress.”

Jets hope to arrange further visits to its other community clubs in the future.

“We’re happy to go anywhere if it fits in with our training schedule,” said Kirkham. “It’s great to go out to other teams and a good change for the players.”

Jets’ other community clubs are Albany Creek Excelsior, Brighton Disctricts, Dayboro and District, Deception Bay, The Lakes, Narangba United, North Pine, Peninsula Power, Pine Hills, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe PCYC, Ridge Hills and Sandgate Saints.

Moreton Bay United is also delivering grassroots football development programs to 13 schools and community groups across the region and are working with Moreton Bay Regional Council to roll out further Active Kids programs in the community.