Coach Kristian Rees’ football connections paying off for Gold Coast United ahead of 2019 NPL

KRISTIAN Rees’ Gold Coast Knights connections have paid immediate dividends for Gold Coast United as the club looks to assemble a squad capable of challenging for the NPL crown.

KRISTIAN Rees’ Gold Coast Knights connections have paid immediate dividends for Gold Coast United, with their new NPL coach helping deliver experienced midfielder Justyn McKay for the 2019 NPL.

The rumours surrounding McKay’s potential move to United were confirmed yesterday, continuing an aggressive Surfsiders recruitment drive that has brought Rees and former Socceroo Michael Thwaite to the club.

Rees and McKay have developed a close friendship since joining forces as players at Palm Beach, going on to work together at Soccer X and the Knights, where Rees was an assistant coach to Grae Piddick this season.

English-born McKay has been a stalwart of Coast NPL teams since the competition’s inception in 2013, making 100 appearances and scoring 17 goals in his time with Palm Beach/Gold Coast City.

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New Gold Coast United signing Justyn McKay.

The 31-year-old captained the 2014 Sharks side, which included Rees, to the NPL title double and appeared in the FFA Cup quarterfinals that year and again in 2017.

An integral member of the Knights outfit that won this year’s Gold Coast Premier League premiership and championship, McKay said the chance to reunite with his good mate was too good to pass up.

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“Kristian Rees being appointed first team coach is massive for me,” he said.

“I’ve played alongside Kristian and know what he’s about in terms of footballing philosophy, we’re on the same page with that. And Thwaitey having signed too was also a big draw card.

“Both Kristian and Michael are both very well respected for their achievements in the game. I know I can learn a lot from them both and improve as a player.

McKay in action for the Knights. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“Hearing what plans Gold Coast United have and the way they’re going about their business with both the juniors and seniors, it’s certainly an exciting prospect for me to get involved with that too, and to hopefully grow the club and make it a real force.

“With the club in its infancy, it’s the sort of challenge I need, to be a part of a club with that sort of vision.”

McKay began his football journey as an eight-year-old at the Swindon Town Centre of Excellence before moving to Australia in 2010.

He also holds an FFA B Licence in coaching and will help United grow their community programs via the partner school and club networks.