FOOTBALL
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Football has officially become a regular feature at WIN Stadium.
Over the next two weekends, the growing partnership between the region's top participation sport and the beachside venue will again take centre stage.
On Friday night, Sydney FC will play an A-League pre-season friendly against Wellington Phoenix at the venue before the local, district and premier league grand finals reset the limelight the following weekend.
It comes after the South Coast Wolves opted to make the stadium their home ground for the 2014 campaign and were able to host former A-League champions Central Coast Mariners in the FFA Cup.
Like that evening, Friday is another fine opportunity to see elite level football in the Illawarra.
The Sky Blues appear poised for a massive season following a raft of personnel changes - both on and off the field.
Graham Arnold's addition on the touchline combined with the arrival of Shane Smeltz, Bernie Ibini, Alex Brosque and new marquee man Marc Janko should provide no shortage of goals.
They will go very close to winning their third A-League title this season so Friday's match will, no doubt, be an exciting one.
And, as ever, the squad boasts a good deal of Illawarra talent.
Corey Gameiro, Matt Jurman, Aaron Calver and Pedj Bojic will be pushing for selection to play in front of a 'home crowd'.
The match should lay a sound platform for the region's first ever A-League match in January when the Sky Blues take on Newcastle Jets.
But before that historic day, football will again take over the region's best venue with the Illawarra Premier League and District League finals returning to the iconic site on September 27 and 28.