Wollongong FC Hone Into Local Talent

Wollongong FC CEO Jock Morlando announced this week the club?s new pathway programme by announcing last season?s Illawarra Premier League star Matthew Bailey is training with the club.

Matthew, who played for Bulli last season, was voted Illawarra Player of the Year.

Bailey has been training alongside Ilija Prenzoski the IFA?s Golden Boot winner for 2007 who has already secured himself a contract for the 2008 NSW Premier League Season.

?I can?t think of a better way to demonstrate the benefits of the new Illawarra football pathway,? said Morlando.

?We are delighted to have Matthew training with us. He is a proven performer at Illawarra Premier League level, now we hope he can prove his worth at a higher level and earn himself a contract for the upcoming season.?

Wollongong FC recently outlined their commitment to forming a pathway for local talent, so the significance of Matthew?s desire to ?give it a go? is enormous.

?Obviously it is a two way process. We were more than happy to loan out WFC players to IFA Premier League sides during the 2007 season.

?In fact Osagie Ederaro achieved near cult status with Grand Final Winners Albion Park White Eagles?.

?We are now hoping that Matthew, Ilija and other IFA based players will look to Wollongong FC as the place for them to step up and look to further their football within the new framework that is the Illawarra Football Pathway,? Morlando ended.