Fury Coaches To Select NQ All Stars
North Queensland local footballers will line up against A-League opposition as part of the Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup this August.
Players from Townsville, Ingham and the Burdkein will be considered for selection in the North Queensland All Stars team that will play the Newcastle Jets, in the curtain-raiser match on the final day of the tournament.
The North Queensland All Stars will be the fifth team to take part in the Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup along with A-League champions Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC and Northern Fury.
The three A-League clubs will play for the Townsville Football Cup itself, with Northern Fury and the NQ All Stars participating in curtain-raisers throughout the tournament.
“This is a great opportunity for players from around the region who are not involved with Northern Fury,” said Fury’s Director of Coaching, Ian Ferguson.
Coaches of all local A-grade teams from the Burdekin to Ingham have been asked to nominate players to Ferguson who, along with Fury’s Technical Director Harry Bingham, will finalise the selection of 18 players.
Ferguson has sought nominations for four strikers, six midfielders, six defenders and two goalkeepers. Local coaches have also been invited to nominate for the coaching bench.
Mick Tonner, Coach of local Townsville team Rebels FC, said it was a fantastic opportunity for local footballers.
“Local players don’t often get the opportunity to play in a rep team. The fact that they’re playing an A-League team is an added bonus,” said Tonner.
“I am sure this announcement will see players train even harder in the coming weeks while the team is shortlisted.”
Ferguson said local players who are good enough can make the leap to the A-League.
“Sasa Ognenovski from Sydney FC is a good example,” Ferguson said.
“Sasa played in the Victorian competition for ten years until he was noticed by a former Roar coach in 2006. Since then, he’s played 22 games for the Socceroos, captained a K-League team in Korea and won the Asian Player of the Year in 2010.”
Both Ferguson and Tonner said they would like to see at least one player from every club in the NQ All Stars.
“I’m obviously familiar with my own team,” Tonner said. “But I also know there are other good players in the teams we meet week-in, week-out, who will be very proud to represent North Queensland and who are deserving of this opportunity to be in the ‘shop window’ of three A-League clubs.”
Tonner said that the Townsville Football Cup is a welcome development that deserves the support of the North Queensland community.
“It gives us a chance to show the ‘head honchos’ of the A-League in Sydney that North Queensland loves football, we want the A-League and the A-League needs North Queensland.
“It is outstanding to be able to see three A-League teams in our backyard all at once,” Tonner added.
The NQ All Stars team will be finalised in early August to give the squad a four-week window to prepare for the match.
The Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup will take place on 24th, 27th and 30th August at Townsville Sports Reserve.
Tickets are now on sale through Townsville Tickets starting at $10 for children, $18 for concession, $25 for adults or $55 for a family of four, as well as a three match-day value package.
Visit www.townsvillefootballcup.com.au for more information.
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