Focus on youth development paying immediate dividends for reborn Gold Coast United in NPL

GOLD Coast United’s quest to right the wrongs of their Clive Palmer-led incarnation remains on track as the club eyes a host of NPL silverware.

GOLD Coast United’s mission to right the wrongs of their previous incarnation remains on track as their junior stars prepare to step up their title assaults.

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With the Clive Palmer-led United that graced the A-League from 2009-12 criticised for failing to connect with grassroots football on the Coast, the reborn version has made junior development a priority.

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While success in the men’s and women’s NPL competitions has been mixed, the youth focus is paying handsome dividends.

“Our under-13s are on top of the ladder, our 14s are on top of the ladder, our 15s are on top of the ladder, our 16s are coming third and our under-15 girls are top of the ladder,” United chairman Danny Maher said.

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Gold Coast United junior players Rylee Uttley (under-13), Lachlan Anderson (under-14) and Christian Vulinovich (under-15). Picture: Mike Batterham

“We try to be positive members of the football community, we have our affiliate program, we do free clinics for kids, we do free coach education, we try and share our programs with the community. It’s been a great season.”

Junior NPL competitions finish next month.