TAREE Wildcats will tackle Football Mid North Coast Premier League rivals Port Saints in the second round of the FFA Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Date for the match and the venue has yet to be confirmed.
The Wildcats will have the bye in the opening round.
Taree and other FMNC clubs will play in the cup’s Northern NSW northern conference along with Football Far North Coast, North Coast and Northern Inland clubs. Eight of the nine FMNC premier league clubs will be involved, with Camden Haven the only absentees.
Football Mid North Coast’s southern competition premiers, Wallamba, have also entered. Wallis Lake and Tuncurry-Forster will clash in the first round, with all other sides having the bye.
The winner of this match will meet Macleay Valley in the second round.
Port United will take on Wallamba while Kempsey Saints meet Wauchope in other second round games.
Short and long term goals for Taree
“Come and play football with the Wildcats” is the message Taree Wildcats president Scott Taylor is communicating to the community.
The club is determined to make inroads to improve the playing and spectator experience, and plans are in place to take major leaps ahead this year.
With the return of life member Kathy Alley to the club’s executive along with stalwarts Ben Sedlen, Dale Paterson and Amanda Patterson the Wildcats are going from strength to strength.
The Wildcats are the only club in the Manning Valley offering football for players from those turning five in 2018, through to the Football Mid North Coast Premier League.
Mr Walker understands the Wildcats are the biggest sporting club in the Manning Valley and offer a range of playing options for their members.
“In 2018 we expect to run teams in open men’s, a mixed over 35s and an open women in our senior ranks,’’ he said.
“This is in addition to our premier league squad to be coached for the third year by Rod Bartley. We are also looking at fielding multiple teams through our competitive and Mini Roo age groups.
“If we can achieve this we will have more than 400 players on our books.”
The new board's priority for the medium term is to increase the level of infrastructure at the club.
“Football is Australia's leading participation sport,’’ Mr Walker said.
“This is also reflected at our club. Our infrastructure needs to improve to cater for our growing needs. We have laid the groundwork to progress with several grants on offer to turn Omaru Park into the regional centre for football, hosting several gala days, school-based tournaments and special events.
“Our concentration will be in working with various levels of government to secure funding to help with this infrastructure. With the help of our three major sponsors Club West, Mackie Electric and Refrigeration and Oxley Insurance Brokers, we have purchased training equipment, training shirts which were supplied to all players and new club shirts on top of working with MidCoast Council to improve the playing surface ready for the season.’’
The short term goal is to improve the standard of coaching throughout the club and dominate referee numbers in the Manning area.
“Our strategy to improve coaching is to ensure our coaches are all qualified and have a senior coach to seek advice from.’’