Central Coast Mariners full of hope as Usain Bolt jets into Sydney to begin ‘indefinite period’ of trialling
JUST like his trademark 100 metre sprint, Usain Bolt’s arrival in Sydney on Saturday morning for an ‘indefinite period’ of trialling with the Central Coast Mariners was quick and full of fanfare.
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USAIN Bolt’s arrival in Sydney on Saturday was just like his sprinting performance on the world’s biggest stages - full of fanfare, quick and victorious.
The 31-year-old was mobbed as he navigated his way through a sea of media and fans at Sydney Airport before speeding off in his black hire van for the Central Coast to begin his ‘indefinite training period’ with the Mariners, hopefully leading to an A-League contract.
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Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp and his executive team have been in talks with Bolt and his management for five months, but he still struggled to believe the club have snared the Jamaican sprinting superstar for an A-League trial.
“Even yesterday I didn’t think it was going to happen,” he said.
“Every day I’ve pinched myself and couldn’t believe the talks kept going to the next step.
“On Tuesday I won’t believe he’ll be training with us.”
A crowd of more than 20 Mariners supporters turned up to welcome the world’s fastest sprinter. Bolt even gave one lucky female fan a cheeky kiss on the cheek.
After years of battles, including sacked coaches, poor results and grand final heartbreak, foundation Central Coast member Mark Wilson believes Bolt can re-unite the club and region.
“Bolt’s signing has the potential to bring us together again,” Wilson beamed.
“There have been a lot of fans that have walked away in recent years because of the struggles of the club and just trying to find that motivation to support the team.
“It will certainly attract more attention to the team and the area.
“It is one of those things where the Central Coast is sort of stuck between are we part of Sydney or are we not.
“We get a lot of the bad parts of both of that.
“If we cop more, we cop more. If we get less benefit, we get less benefit.
“But Bolt will change that.”
Ultimately, though, this is about football and whether Usain’s skills are as slick as his speed.
Wilson hopes he is committed to making his football dream a reality.
“He is saying he is, so it’s exciting,” he said.
“We want him to be good. The attributes he has, there are areas he can contribute.
“Hopefully he proves himself in the trial, so we can watch him play.”
Since News Corp Australia broke news of Bolt’s move to the Mariners last month, there have been more than 200 million page views worldwide of the stories.
Throw in his combined 13.7 million social media followers via Twitter and Instagram and Bolt will give the battling Central Coast franchise a major boost.
To put Bolt’s genuine drive in the Central Coast Mariners exercise in perspective, he knocked back a seven-figure contract from Austin’s USL team in the United States.
Mielekamp says the eight-time Olympic Gold Medallist has made his intentions to succeed crystal clear from day one.
“It is not about the money,” Mielekamp said.
“We know that he has knocked back some very big offers from other clubs.
“He chose to take the hard path and come and train prove himself.
“This is a worldwide sports story that has landed on our doorstep, which is fantastic.
“We are very proud of the Central Coast, the region and club, so for us to have the opportunity to show the world that is so exciting.”
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