Robina City lock in coaching team ahead of first Gold Coast Premier League campaign since 2001

RETURNING coach Nathan Mulhearn concedes Robina City have their backs to the wall in their Gold Coast Premier League comeback but believes one factor could give them a competitive edge.

RETURNING coach Nathan Mulhearn concedes Robina City have their backs to the wall in their Gold Coast Premier League comeback but believes their experienced off-field team could give them a competitive edge.

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Coast League One whipping boys from 2016-18, the Rabbits enjoyed an immediate revival under Mulhearn this year, winning the championship to seal Premier League promotion before falling to Southport in September’s grand final.

Now preparing for their first top-flight campaign since 2001, the club has laid the foundations over the past few days by locking in a coaching team of Mulhearn, Kris Dodd (assistant), Steve Jones (reserves coach) and Jamie Irwin (goalkeeping coach).

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The club will begin pre-season training on December 12 and while he acknowledged the club cannot match the off-field might of some of their rivals, Mulhearn said the players would be primed for the 2020 campaign.

Robina City coach Nathan Mulhearn. Picture: East End Digital

“Our expectations are high for 2020. We don’t have the resources of some of the bigger clubs but we’ll be looking to make the most out of what we do have,” Mulhearn said.

“The experience of Gold Coast football that our team has is unmatched. Between us we have 150 years of playing and coaching in the local scene.

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“However, this doesn’t mean we are set in our ways. We are looking at new ways of doing things. We learnt a lot last year at Robina and are set to implement those learnings in the Premier League.

“This time last year we weren’t sure how the season was going to pan out. Robina had been in the basement for so long (but) all of our coaching staff played a big part in recruiting good people and ensuring we developed a culture of high performance and togetherness.

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“We will announce some player signings this week, both returning and new players. It’s exciting times for the club after almost 20 years out of the Premier League.”

With Tweed United relegated and Mudgeeraba withdrawing from the top flight, Robina will be joined by Southport in next season’s eight-team Premier League.