McKinna to take on new role
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
by Glen Lauder
After five successful seasons as the Central Coast Mariners foundation Football Manager, Lawrie McKinna has announced he will move into a new role within the club as its Football and Commercial Operations Manager, extending his current contract – which was due to expire at the end of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season – by a further year in the process.
McKinna will work side by side with the club’s new Head Coach in the running of the Football Department, and will also take on a greater role in the Football Operations and the Commercial areas of the club, which will see him actively involved in the club’s relationship with current and potential partners.
"This is a great opportunity for me," said McKinna.
"I have a commercial background from my time as a Sales Manager at Asics, and through the running of my own businesses, and the experience I have gained in being part of the formation of the Mariners alongside (Executive Chairman) Lyall (Gorman) means I know the club inside out, I know the people of the Central Coast very well, and I’m excited about the new opportunities that will present themselves within this role at the club, while still maintaining a strong presence in the football side of things."
McKinna was an instrumental part of the bid process to give the Central Coast its first ever national sporting team in the form of the Mariners in 2004, and has gone on to become one of the most successful coaches in the Hyundai A-League’s history.
The inaugural Hyundai A-League coach of the year’s honour roll includes a Hyundai A-League premiership, two grand finals, three finals series, a Pre-Season Cup, and appearances in a further Pre-Season Cup final and Club World Championship qualification final, as well as leading the Mariners through an Asian Champions League campaign in 2009.
"Lawrie is an integral part of our Club’s fabric and all it stands for, and his new role is a key part of our business focus moving forward. By extending his contract and continuing to play an important part in the future of the Mariners the club will not only continue to benefit from the tremendous intellectual property and experience that Lawrie has built up over so many years, but also provide him with the opportunity to pursue new and exciting career pathways in a game to which he has contributed so much," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"With work on the Centre of Excellence at Tuggerah nearing commencement it is an exciting time to be a Mariners Member and Supporter, and we are delighted to know that Lawrie will continue to be a key part of our team moving forward."
Following his decision to step into a new role, the Central Coast Mariners, in consultation with McKinna, have moved to appoint current Qantas Socceroos assistant coach Graham Arnold to the position of head coach until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 season.
"Lawrie has played a significant role in bringing this appointment to fruition," said Gorman.
"I know that he looks forward to building a long and fruitful partnership with Graham."
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