The Loose Cannon - Issue 131

Kids Korner

MARVIN MAZE

CAN YOU help marvin make his way through the maze?

WORD SCRAMBLE

unscramble the LETTERS to reveal the names of mariners PLAYERS

WHO AM I?

CAN YOU GUESS WHO THE PLAYER IS?

1. I started MY professional career with Hibernian, making 16 appearances and scoring twice in the 2013–14 season.

2. I Represent the Australia national team, after previously representing Scotland at youth and senior international level

3. I scored in MY A-League Men debut against Sydney FC on 30 January 2022

ANSWER: JASON CUMMINGS

OPTUS STADIUM ANSWERS: 1-A, 2-B

A) ALLIANZ STDIUM B) BANKWEST STADIUM C) CENTRAL COAST STADIUM

MATT SIMON BECOMES CCM SPORTING DIRECTOR

The Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce that club legend Matt Simon has been promoted to the role of Sporting Director.

The former player spent 12 seasons at the Mariners, first making his debut for the club in 2007. He scored a club record 66 goals for the Mariners across 238 appearances, becoming a Central Coast legend along the way.

He was unfortunately forced to retire due to an injury sustained in the then named FFA Cup, officially calling time on his playing career before the first match of this season.

From there he moved into a role with the Mariners football department, becoming the Head of Recruitment and Player Welfare. Simon has now been promoted, officially becoming the Mariners Sporting Director.

While Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery will still oversee the football department, Simon will now hold a senior position alongside assistant coach Sergio Raimundo.

Montgomery is pleased to have Simon working alongside him in this new role, believing that he is the perfect man for the job.

“It is a fantastic development for a legend of the club. Everybody knows how much he means to the club and in his role since he retired, he has flourished.

He has a lot of contacts in the game and understands the A-League more than anybody. He understands what it is like to be a young player here, an experienced player and a visa player,” he said.

“I was fortunate enough to have captained this club alongside the likes of John Hutchinson and Matt Simon as well and we all know how important that is to the longterm success of this club. The role of the Head Coach and Sporting Director working together on the culture is imperative for the long-term success of the club. When previously this has not been the case then the club has failed and that can’t ever happen again.”

Simon is excited to move into his new role and is appreciative of the support given by the Mariners since retiring and moving into off-field positions.

“I’m very excited to be in this new role. It has been a good transition since I retired and to be able to take on the role of Sporting Director for the club that I love is something that I am very happy and proud of,” he said.

“I have always wanted the club to succeed, so it is great to be Sporting Director and help facilitate everything that Monty wants to do. I would like to thank Rich, Shaun and Monty, along with the entire coaching staff, for helping me transition from playing into a different role that is off the field. I am so grateful that they have helped me along the way.”

“It is a role that is perfectly suited to him with his knowledge and understanding of the club. I have no doubt that he has a massive future in this role. We talk about culture in this club and Matt helped create that DNA when the club was founded.

CHRISTIAN THEOHAROUS

It has been quite the start at the Mariners for 23 year old Christian Theoharous. After stints in Melbourne with Victory and Western United sandwiched either side of a few seasons with Borussia Mönchengladbach II, Theoharous finds himself battling for a spot in an already impressive Mariners front line. From what we have seen already you can see the quality that Christian brings to the club and yet another player who could quite easily be given the ‘excitement machine’ tag. Its yet another young player who has seen the Mariners as the place to be to take their career to the next level.

In the recent game against the Bulls in Mudgee Theoharous turned in a man of the match performance, providing the assists for both the McGarry and Tulio goals and was very unlucky not to appear on the scoresheet himself. There’s nothing better than a winger cutting inside to beat a few defenders before attempting to curl it inside that far post!. Theoharous also brings versatility to the club with the ability to play as an overlapping wing back as well as a threat out on the wing. I also think Theoharous has that x factor that no defence wants to have coming at them and really puts them in 2 minds something I’m all for!.

Theoharous but the massive impact our academy is having on our senior squad. Indeed with this talent and potential the future is looking very bright but lets not get too far ahead, there’s a toilet seat available in 2023 which I would love nothing more than seeing our boys lifting on Grand Final day.

It’s pretty exciting times for the Mariners I believe with not only the arrival of

2022-23 KIT NOW GET YOUR

What better final home game of the regular season than with a true test of the team against high achievers Melbourne City.

It’s also Pink Round, which provides a great opportunity to give generously to support people suffering from cancer, as well as those engaged in the ongoing fight to find a cure. Please try to give generously!

With a finals berth looking highly likely at time of writing, let’s hope the season still has some way to go, and how can we not dare to dream about a grand final appearance!

As our tenth year in existence comes to a close, we again thank our members for their support during the season, and look forward to having you on board again next season along with lots of new faces.

Go the Mariners!

SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE MOMENTS THROUGHOUT THE 2022-23 SEASON

SCAN TO PLAY NOW

ACADEMY MEMBERS SELECTED FOR JOEYS TRAINING CAMP

Mariners Academy members Miguel Di Pizio, Anthony Pavlesic and Dylan Peraic-Cullen have all been selected in the 30 player Joeys squad for their upcoming domestic camp in preparation for June’s AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Thailand.

“Following last week’s Asian Cup draw, we now know who our group opponents will be, where this intensive camp will enable us to prepare tactically for the challenge that lays ahead in Thailand,” explained Maloney.

Taking place at Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation at Narrabeen, Maloney has selected Australian-based players only for this camp that will run 16 – 21 April 2023.

Speaking about the upcoming camp and player selections, Head Coach Brad Maloney said: “If we wish to achieve our goal of qualifying for this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup, it’s important that we maximise every available opportunity to come together and build upon the foundations we first set during last year’s qualifiers,” said Maloney.

“For this camp, we have deliberately called up Australian-based players, where several fresh faces will join the existing core group, providing an opportunity for as many players as possible to push their case for Asian Cup selection.

The Central Coast Mariners would like to congratulate Miguel, Anthony and Dylan on being selected, well done lads!

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Pink round reaches it’s 11 th season

The Central Coast Mariners and the Pink Round go hand in hand. Now in its 11th season, the round has raised thousands of dollars over the years, while providing a vibrant visual representation in support of Women’s cancer research, prevention and support services.

First starting in the 2012/13 season, the original Pink Round took place in round two against Perth Glory. After collecting donations, auctioning off the pink kits and $1000 dollar donations from the then Wyong Shire Council, Gosford City Council, Central Coast Radio and PH Electrical and Solar, $18,688 was raised.

This year is no different, with the Mariners teaming up with Star 104.5 and Cancer Council Central Coast to raise much needed funds. Following tradition, every match worn jersey will also be auctioned off online, with fans able to both purchase a special piece of Mariners history while supporting a great cause.

Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp is excited to be able to bring Pink Round back again this season, with the help of both Star 104.5 and Cancer Council.

“Being the last home game and such a big one against Melbourne City, followed by a double header versus Sydney Olympic, we will see plenty of familiar faces, in what promises to be a night not to be missed.”

Community Fundraising Coordinator for the Central Coast community Jen Haynes is excited to see the event back for its 11th season.

“We are excited to once again partner with Central Coast Mariners as they show the #powerofpink to support people affected by women’s cancer. Every day in Australia, 70 women are diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancer. While the survival rate has increased, our work is far from over,” she said.

Since then, the Pink Round has been an annual event, changing times throughout the season with the goal always remaining the same. Over the years the Mariners have played almost every team in Pink Round match ups, with fans always turning up in numbers for the game.

“It is so exciting to once again be doing our bit for the community and using pink round to raise awareness and funds for much needed charities. On top of our already long-term commitment to Cancer Council, this year we will bring initiatives that will drive outcomes to help raise funds and awareness for our own yellow and navy foundation,” he said.

“It plays such a massive role for our academy, the kids within the academy and their development. Furthermore, it is brilliant to be partnered up with Star 104.5 to make such an awesome match day be the crescendo of our regular season.

“By showing support for the annual Pink Round, Coasties can help raise funds so we can continue to operate vital services and programs including financial support, in home help, their 13 11 20 information and support line as well as funding life-saving research and cancer prevention programs to work towards a cancer free future!”

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

It takes a huge team effort on match days, and our home games wouldn’t happen without our dedicated team of volunteers working hard behind the scenes.

Central Coast Mariners would like to acknowledge the contribution of our wonderful team of volunteers and thank them for their valuable contribution to the club.

Thank you to each of our volunteers, from all of us at the Central Coast Mariners.

MAJOR SENIOR

ASSOCIATE & EXECUTIVE

MCN - PLATINUM

MCN - GOLD

MCN - NAVY

brian kaltak JOSHUA NISBET James mcgarry MAX BALARD

matheus moresche

beni nkololo

harry steele

DYLAN WENZEL-HALLS

storm roux

jacob farrell

daniel vukovic

cameron windust

daniel hall

yaren sozer

nectarios triantis

sasha kuzevski

james bayliss