Special Feature: Western NSW Football on the up and up

Western NSW has often been the breeding ground for many a budding footballer, yet without a clear path some of these footballers do not get to maximize their potential, or even worse, are lost to the sport.
The Western NSW Mariners FC is a club that has always encouraged and developed the youth in the west of NSW, but now they offer a direct path to senior football given their inclusion in the State League One tier of the Football NSW competition.
We caught up with one of the people who has kept the football world ticking in western NSW, and the inaugural coach of the senior team in 2013, Andrew Fearnley, and found out what some of the hurdles were in getting the senior team up and running, the objectives of the club, and some of the players to look out for in 2013.
FNSW – WHEN DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT WESTERN NSW MARINERS INCLUSION IN THE NSW STATE LEAGUE ONE COMPETITION, AND HOW WERE YOU CHOSEN TO COACH THE INAUGURAL SIDE?
AF – The club found out about being included in the State League 1 when the Declaration of Leagues for 2013 occurred in October in 2012.
Whilst the club applied for Premier League 2, it was understood that not previously having men’s senior teams could be a hindrance, but the club felt they had a strong bid, and whilst disappointed to not be in NPL 2, we were still excited of the test that SL1 would offer in men’s football.
I was asked to take on the squad by Western NSW Football’s management committee after deliberations on the inaugural coach from the applicants received.
FNSW – WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU DID WHEN YOU WERE CHOSEN TO COACH THE MARINERS – WHERE DO YOU START?
AF –  I finalised the remaining coaches, brought them in and planned ahead with what we wanted to achieve, and how we were going to get in contact with prospective players.

FNSW – THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SO MUCH TO DO TO GET THE CLUB UP AND RUNNING – WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE PROCESS?
AF –  Obtaining the required time with the squad to prepare for the season given the tyranny of distance. Not all the players are based in Bathurst, but to their credit though, the group of players in the senior squad have been supportive and attentive to their training.
FNSW – WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SATSIFYING PART OF THE PROCESS?
AF –  Seeing improvement in the players, as it always is, and assisting them in playing with more confidence and adjusting to a different way of playing.
FNSW – WHAT ARE THE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS THE CLUB HAS TO ENDURE FOR EACH AWAY FIXTURE?
AF – Even home games at Mudgee can be a journey for players. Players are coming from Dubbo, Parkes, Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow, Katoomba – some of those trips are 2 hours. Bathurst home games are still 2 hours and more for some of them. They travel themselves to these games.
At the moment they have travelled individually for the away games but there will be a bus – but again, some players are travelling just to get to the bus departure point!!
FNSW – WHO ARE SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES THAT HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THE CLUB UP AND RUNNING IN 2013?
AF – The management committee of the club.
FNSW – TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THE SQUAD YOU HAVE ASSEMBLED – WHERE DID YOU SOURCE YOUR PLAYERS FROM, WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS, WHICH YOUNGSTERS SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR IN 2013?
AF –  The squad is a mixture of players who were with Bathurst 75 FC, players from our youth league teams in 2012 from Western NSW Mariners FC, and players who have come from outside Bathurst 75 and the Western NSW Mariners FC youth teams.
James Christie has always been a dangerous player in the front area and his game can grow. Ricky Guihot has come back into the top grade and leads by example with his tenacity.
Players coming into the top grade like Nick Barber, Andrew Christie, Nick Rutherford, Mitch Hutchings, and Kenny McCall will add a lot and will gain from the experience.
Alec Bateson is one that has come in from outside Bathurst and the youth teams from last year that will cause some problems for opposing teams. Players from Bathurst 75 such as James Hotham and Dan Luther add some backbone to the squad.
FNSW – WHAT ARE THE AMBITIONS OF THE CLUB IN SEASON ONE, AND BEYOND?
AF – The priority in season one is to remain in this division. It is a new frontier so to speak but the club needs to stabilise and hold their position here.
Given the importance and the success previously in youth league at Super Youth League level, it is important and a goal for the club to eventually earn promotion to ensure that from U12’s to First Grade the best players in regional NSW can compete and play in the National Premier League set-up.
FNSW – TELL US ABOUT THE LINK WITH THE CENTRAL COAST MARINERS, AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE CLUB AND YOUR PLAYERS?
AF – Ever since Central Coast Mariners were formed they have had a footprint in this area.
They have played matches and been involved in raising the profile of the sport in Western NSW. That relationship developed into coaching assistance and ideas on player development while also allowing CCM to look at the talent coming from this area as well, developing into a formal relationship.
Jacob Tratt and Jayden Tumeth-McLeod were shadow players for the previous CCM NYL squad and were tracked whilst being here, and I am sure more players may be able to follow that pathway.
The additional hurdles facing the young footballers of Western NSW, primarily distance, is admirable when you think of how many persist and play the game they love as they pursue their dreams.
Now with a club in senior men’s football to be proud of, and a coach with over 16 years experience and a real passion for football in the area, these footballers can aspire to play their football on a bigger stage and reach their potential.
It has been a mixed start for the Western NSW Mariners thus far in 2013. After a big loss at home against the flambuoyant Dulwich Hill to kick start their journey in State League Football, the Western NSW Mariners have regrouped, and adapted swiftly and extremely well, beating Camden Tigers, Hakoah Sydney City East and last season’s champions, Gladesville Ryde Magic, on their way to ten points, and currently sit in equal third position on the competition ladder.
On behalf of the broader football community, we wish Andrew Fearnley and his Western NSW Mariners all the very best in their inaugural season in top flight football.
-By Frank Speranza