Jamie Boelen takes on Premier League coaching job with Mudgeeraba, replacing Fraser Cuba

MUDGEERABA have turned to one of the Gold Coast football’s biggest names to guide them out of the Premier League cellar.

MUDGEERABA have turned to one of the Gold Coast football’s biggest names to guide them out of the Premier League cellar.

Former Premier League veteran Jamie Boelen has taken the coaching reins from Fraser Cuba for 2019, with the Wallabies desperate to prove they belong in the top flight after collecting this year’s wooden spoon.

A star with Mudgeeraba, Burleigh, Palm Beach, Broadbeach and Merrimac before retiring in 2014, 38-year-old Boelen will build on a coaching resume that includes work with the Sharks’ Coast League outfit in 2015 and junior teams at the Wallabies.

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“(The Mudgeeraba job) came by chance really. I’ve wanted to get into coaching again but my wife and I had a couple of kids so it wasn’t the right time to get into it a few years ago when I retired,” the Tugun resident said.

New Mudgeeraba coach Jamie Boelen. Picture: Mike Batterham

“I believe that I’ve been coached by the best two coaches on the Gold Coast in Phelo and Garlo (Colin Phelan and Keith Garland) and I think I can take the best out of them into coaching.

“I feel I’ve got a rapport with the younger kids and hopefully I can sign a couple of experienced players to go in with them. The focus isn’t on bringing a lot of players in, it’s getting the experience to help the younger players at the club.”

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Boelen’s playing career included Premier League title wins at Burleigh and Broadbeach, as well as earning promotion with Merrimac.

Boelen in action for Mudgeeraba in 2008.

Cuba may not be the only member of his family to leave Mudgeeraba, with son Cian, who captained the Wallabies’ top side this year, trialling with NPL outfit Gold Coast United.

Club president John White said both were still welcome at the club, adding Boelen would bring a new dimension to the Wallabies.

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“We welcome Jamie to the club to continue on the great work Fraser Cuba has done over the years at the club. Fraser has done good work,” White said.

Mudgeeraba captain Cian Cuba is trialling with Gold Coast United.

“Jamie is a highly-respected player on the Gold Coast and we believe he will be a great asset to Mudgeeraba. We will be trying to retain Cian of course but if he goes to the NPL that’s our job done.”

The addition of Boelen comes just days after Mudgeeraba announced they would team with Robina in the NPL Women’s next season, with the joint venture to be rebranded Coast FC in 2020.

“It’s about trying to help female football on the Gold Coast,” White said.