The match will again be held at the Regional Stadium in Port Macquarie.

Football Mid North Coast chairman Mike Parsons said the first grade grand final will be culmination of a full day that will include winners of northern and southern zone junior championships within the league’s area.

“It will be a festival of football,’’ Mr Parsons explained during a wide ranging interview in Friday Sport Talk on the Manning River Times Facebook page.

Mr Parsons revealed FMNC will field an under 18 team in the National Premier League next year for the first time. Currently the zone is represented in the 13s, 14, 15s and 16s. He added that eventually FMNC hopes to field a first grade side in the league, believing this will happen within three to four years. Football Mid North Coast is already involved in the Herald Women’s Premier League in under 14s, 16s, 18s and first grade, with all teams making the semi-finals this season.

Mr Parsons confirmed FMNC is looking to build its own ground. Negotiations have started with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council concerning the development of an area in Port Macquarie. He said this would include the establishment of a Centre of Excellence.

Mr Parsons said hopes the Newcastle Jets will now be regular visitors to the area as part of the club’s pre-season program. The Jets will be in Taree and Port Macquarie on Monday, Tuesday August 14/15, playing a match against FMNC northern and southern selections at Port Macquarie on the Tuesday. Mr Parsons revealed the crowd response to the Tuesday game could determine when or if the Jets return to the area. This is the first time the Jets have been to the Mid North Coast in 10 years.