New Mudgeeraba coach Jamie Boelen focused on stopping exodus of young players

HALTING the flow of young talent to Gold Coast rivals has become a key focus for new Mudgeeraba coach Jamie Boelen ahead of next year’s Premier League.

HALTING the flow of young talent to Gold Coast rivals has become a key focus for new Mudgeeraba coach Jamie Boelen ahead of next year’s Premier League.

Boelen, who was on Sunday unveiled as Fraser Cuba’s replacement at Sid Bigg Park, has assumed control of arguably the youngest side in the top flight.

With the Wallabies coming off a season in which they narrowly avoided relegation despite collecting the wooden spoon, Boelen said he was happy to see his players progress to the NPL with Gold Coast United or Gold Coast Knights.

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However, he has made it his mission to stop the pillaging from Premier League opposition.

“I just think if we can set up the right foundations, kids won’t be so keen to go to other clubs. I want to change that mindset of the kids, I want them to go to an NPL club if they go anywhere,” 38-year-old Boelen, a Mudgeeraba junior, said.

Pictured at the Mudgeeraba Soccer Club, Jamie Boelen Mudgeeraba's new Gold Coast Premier League football (soccer) coach. Picture Mike Batterham

“If I can graduate a couple of younger kids to get into Kristian Rees’ or Grae Piddick’s side (at United and Knights), that’s my job. Obviously you want to win trophies but now there’s a better pathway and more opportunities with the NPL there.

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“I think all the (local) clubs should be a stepping stone for the Knights and Gold Coast United. That’s my goal, to coach kids to a better level and they can get picked up at a better level.

“The focus isn’t on bringing a lot of players in, it’s getting the experience to help the younger players at the club. If I can build on the foundation Fraser had there and add a bit of experience, I believe a mid-table finish isn’t out of the question. The only way is up.”