Brisbane Roar defender Jade North insists a community focus can be the driving force behind the Wollongong Wolves A-League bid.
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The endorsement comes as North launches his inaugural ‘Kickin’ With A Cuz’ campaign in the Illawarra this week.
He will spend a total of three days this week working with children across the region, with a focus on indigenous and disadvantaged youths.
The Wolves, who are pushing to be part of the next A-League expansion, and Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council (ILALC) will also play a part in the ‘community-minded’ program.
It’s the one of many initiatives the two organisations hope to be involved in, which North believes will provide a crucial platform for any A-League bid.
“You just have to look at some of the biggest clubs in the A-League and you see how they [embrace community] well,” he said.
“The Wanderers is one, Melbourne Victory is another, we have a big community base at the Brisbane Roar as well.
“The Wolves are on the right track. They are a massive club in the [NSW NPL} so. I can only wish them the success in the future. I am sure there will be thereabouts in years to come in the A-League.”
North had no doubt the region had a community base big enough to house an A-League club.
“They have the whole south of Sydney,” he said.
“The Illawarra stretched down to Nowra and even further. And even towards Canberra. They have a massive base to build on and just coming down and seeing some of these kids here today, and some of the talent. It is a breeding ground.
“I played against Wollongong in the old NSL and I know the passion and desire they’ve got around here. There is no reason why they can’t be back up at the highest level.”
North, who is currently on holidays from playing with the Roar, joined forces with the Wolves and ILALC after his wife Maree saw a post on social media. Within 24 hours, North and the Wolves had made contact and soon reached an agreement to bring the ex-Socceroos’ new initiative to the Illawarra.
The first session, which included kids from Jervis Bay Primary School, was held on Tuesday at Albert Butler Memorial Park, with two more sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
North hoped the program would be the first of many.
“It’s about teaching kids positive messages and outcomes of playing sport,” he said.
“Sport is used as a vehicle to connect with other kids. This program isn’t all about creating the next Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka or whatever.
“It is about creating a pathway and using soccer as the vehicle to connect everyone.
“They do it so well in the other codes, me being one of the only [indigenous] players in the A-League right now, I would be silly not to tap into that. I see potential in Indigenous programs and underprivileged kids. There will be more to come.”