Mariners buy land to secure future

The Mariners have purchased a 12-hectare site at Tuggerah for the development, which is scheduled to begin in mid-2010 and will include two world class training pitches, a centre of excellence, a six-storey office block and sports science, pool and gymnasium facilities.

In total there will be seven full-sized pitches as well as 10 multi-purpose courts and a 120-room hotel and accommodation block.

It is hoped the development will help Football Federation Australia's bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cups by providing a training base for the Socceroos or visiting international teams.

"It is felt a facility such as this will put the Mariners at the forefront of attracting the best talent across Australia, and also internationally," Mariners Trust chairman Peter Turnbull said in a club statement.

"The goal is for the Mariners to become the obvious first 'club of choice' for any talented footballer.

"We also expect the facility to be very popular for international club teams to use as a base for pre-season training camps.

"All these uses will prove positive for the entire region's economy."

Over 100 members of the Wyong RSL Club voted unanimously to sell the entire assets of the Club Tuggerah site to the A-League club, with the licensed club to be leased back to the RSL.

"We thank the members of Wyong RSL club for having the vision to understand the importance of this development, both for the future of their licensed premises on the site, but also for football on the Central Coast and for the future of the community as a whole," Turnbull said.