The Central Coast Mariners are excited to announce that 21-year old defender, Jake McGing has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will see him remain in Yellow & Navy until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season
The Central Coast Mariners are excited to announce that 21-year old defender, Jake McGing has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will see him remain in Yellow & Navy until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season
McGing is a graduate of the Mariners Foxtel National Youth League side and signed his first professional contract with the Mariners in February this year – his impressive performances during the pre-season have led to an extension of his time IN the Central Coast.
Originally a midfielder, McGing found his feet with Westfield Sports High School and went on to captain the Western Sydney Wanderers youth team during the 2013/14 Season.
McGing linked with the Mariners the following season and is now a realistic chance to feature prominently in Tony Walmsley’s Hyundai A-League 2015/16 plans.
The Eschol Park Wolves junior was asleep on the bus homebound from a pre-season trip to Coffs Harbour when he was asked to join Head Coach Tony Walmsley at the front of the bus. Little did he know, he was about to be offered the chance to prolong his dream with the Central Coast Mariners.
“I’m thrilled, when Tony told me I was so pleased and it’s just an unbelievable feeling,” McGing said.
“When he called me down the front of the bus, I thought he just wanted to chat to me about the game but to hear what he said was certainly not expected.
“I didn’t think I would like it as much as I do [playing centre back] but I get a lot more time on the ball and I’ve really enjoyed that.
“The overall culture here is fantastic, there are no clicks in the team and it’s just like a big family so we get along really well,” he said.
Head Coach Tony Walmsley spoke of McGing as an impressive youth prospect who he’s had his eye on for quite some time.
“Jake’s a talented young player, I tried to sign him a number of years ago in the youth team but at the time as a Western Sydney boy he went there as an NYL player,” Walmsley said.
“He’s always had talent but it wasn’t always as a central defender, we think that centre back is his best chance of being successful and in terms of what he’s delivered so far, the contract extensions justifies our belief that he’s got a really big future.
“The length of the tenure that we’ve offered him is to give him every chance to become a mainstay in the Mariners’ backline.
“He fits our better people, better players mantra, he ticks all the boxes on and off the pitch, he’s a quick learner, he wants to improve every time he turns up for training and we can’t ask for much more than that.
“If you look at McGing & Harry Ascroft as two young central defenders who are starting on this journey together they’ve both got three year deals now,” he said.
McGing is part of a Mariners defensive unit that is deep with talent, featuring the likes of Josh Rose, Eddy Bosnar, Harry Ascroft, Jacob Poscoliero, Storm Roux and Michael Neill who will all be gunning for a position come October 10.
