The best soccer teams from across the region battled it out for pre-season bragging rights at Glen Willow Park on the weekend with Dubbo teams the big winners at the first Central Coast Mariners Challenge Cup.
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The Bulls claimed the men’s title from Orange Waratahs in their final while RSL 78s, also from Dubbo, were too good for CSU in the women’s decider.
The University team claimed third overall in the men’s division while Parkes side Tichborne Tigers filled out the minor places in the women’s division.
Western Football Development Manager Andrew Fearnley said the tournament, which is the first time it has been linked with the Mariners in the A-League, was again another shining example of a locally run tournament.
“Full credit to (Mudgee Wolves president) Pete Mitchell and to the rest of his organising crew, and I know it is something that he takes a lot of pride in,” Fearnley said.
“The feedback has been really positive, the teams that played all really enjoyed the facilities and had a good time and overall the experience is positive.”
Fourteen teams from Parkes, Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo hit town all vying to prove they are the best team in the region after emerging triumphant from their respective grand finals last season.
It is this champions of champions format that should see the tournament continue to grow past its sixth incarnation in 2015 according to Fearnley.
“Football of all codes is generally so strong in the areas they only really play in their own towns or regions so it’s different to say Group 10 or Central West Rugby,” he said. “So this is a real opportunity to play outside of their normal association
“Teams use the weekend to prepare themselves for their respective seasons but being there is a Cup involved it is becoming a strong incentive to be in it.
“For teams to win their local association and earn the right to play in the Cup so they can challenge themselves against other grand final winners.
“So the tournament is starting to get some good pedigree and with Central Coast putting their name to it has certainly boosted the profile of the tournament.”
Fearnley said it was pleasing for the continued development of the game that the Mariners continued to place their support in the game in the area.
“We’ve signed a new partnerships agreement with the Mariners and part of that was them taking over the name of the Challenge Cup,” he said.
“They are looking to increase their profile in the region, they have been affiliated with our region since they started as a club and the agreement has grown over the years and this is another positive start to the new relationship.”
