Sporting Highlights

Mars June Inspirational Athletes
Central Coast Academy of Sport Netball scholarship athlete Rachel Howard and Football scholarship athlete Lucy Metcalfe are this month’s Mars Inspirational Athletes.

Rachel Howard started her representative career in 2005 and was selected for the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) All Schools under-15 team that competed in and won the National Championships in Melbourne. Rachel also played for the open CHS team in 2008 and was named Sportswoman of the Year at Terrigal High School – an accolade she also won in the two preceding years.

In the State League, Rachel plays for the Gosford Division 4 team, for which she received an Encouragement Award in 2008. Since 2005, Rachel has been a representative in the Sydney North team, her efforts earning her the Blue Award earlier this year.
In 2007 Rachel was presented with the Student of Distinction award by Terrigal High School.

At just thirteen years of age, Lucy Metcalfe is currently showing her talent and skills by representing her country in Vietnam. She is there to play for the Westfield Australia under-14 Girls squad in the AFC Festival of Football in Ho Chi Minh City.

Lucy has been playing football since 2001 when she was just five years old. In 2007 she was a member of the winning NSW PSSA Girls Football side that defeated Queensland in the final, and was chosen in the Central Coast Lightning representative team for her age.

During 2008, she was made Captain of the Lightning under-12 girls team and she was also honoured by being named Player’s Player of the Year for the club. 2008 also saw her made School Captain of Kariong Primary School.

Lucy was appointed Vice Captain of the Central Coast Lightning under-14 team and was selected to play for the Football NSW under-14 Girls team which competed in and won the Football Federation Australia National Junior Championships in Canberra.

Srixon continues to support Academy
Market leading golf brand, Srixon has announced they will continue to support the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) during the new 2009/10 golf development program. The new development program, announced in May, will see the CCAS combine with the Central Coast District Golf Association to provide a streamlined pathway for young local golfers.

Srixon, the major sponsor of the CCAS golf program since 2004, are heavily involved in the development of young golfers. Supporting the CCAS’s golf program is another way that the company aims to assist the growth of the sport.

“We are very pleased that Srixon will be continuing to support the Academy’s golf program in 2009/10,” said Ian Robilliard, Managing Director of the Central Coast Academy of Sport.

“The CCAS golf program provides a solid foundation for talented young golfers in the region so that they can go on to compete at the next level. Srixon has the latest equipment, technology and knowledge to help golfers go as far as they possibly can. The CCAS is proud to partner with Srixon to give young athletes access to this,” said Mr Robilliard.

The 2009/10 CCAS golf development program is due to commence in July 2009.

Former Cobblers captain becomes a Coastie
The Central Coast Mariners FC has made the first significant signing of an off-season recruitment drive, with the news former Northampton Town skipper Chris Doig has agreed to a two year deal with the club.

“Chris comes to the Mariners with some pedigree, I’m sure both his leadership qualities and his football skill will make him an excellent addition to our squad,” said Mariners Executive Chairman, Lyall Gorman.

“Chris’ signing is the first of several before we kick off our Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season against Melbourne on August 6, and we feel that attracting this kind of player is vital in ensuring the Central Coast continues to perform the way members and fans deserve,” said Mr Gorman.

The former Scotland under-21’s representative has played 232 competitive matches in England’s top three divisions, making his first team debut with Nottingham Forest on the grandest stage of all – against the might of Manchester United in a Premier League clash at Old Trafford, as a 17-year-old on Boxing Day, 1998.

“Chris comes highly respected from plenty of good judges in the UK. I’ve seen a DVD of him and he has great presence in the box, a solid left footed stopper, but he’s also a solid professional, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Hyundai A-League,” Mariners Football Manager, Lawrie McKinna said.

“We are still looking at bringing in some more new faces, but as I’ve said before, they have to be better than what we have already got. We’ll sort through some CVs over the next couple of weeks while the boys are on holiday, and we should have some more lads on board before the squad gets back.”

Crusaders hopeful for finals success
All of the Central Coast Crusaders Teams once again appear to be bound for NSW State and Youth League Finals following an impressive season so far in the home and away competition.

The Crusaders, who have five teams competing in the respective competitions in 2009, currently lead the Division One State League Men and Women and the Division One Youth League Men, whilst the Youth League Women and Division Two Youth League Men are confident they too will be competing in the post season.

The Crusaders State League Men will be hoping to go one step further than they did in 2008 when they were denied in the final by arch-rivals the Penrith Panthers. The Crusaders have already defeated the Panthers twice this season to stake their claims but the Panthers are desperate for a three-peat. The Finals weekend will be on the 8th – 9th August at the Sutherland Basketball Stadium.

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