Northern Fury’s Director of Coaching, Ian Ferguson, today named 23 representatives from eight clubs around the North Queensland region who have made the shortlist for the North Queensland All Stars to meet A-League side Newcastle Jets as part of the Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup.

“We’ve invited 23 to trial to select a final 18,” said Ferguson. “But even those who don’t make the final will be on stand-by in case of injury or illness.”

Ferguson said the North Queensland team gives the players a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I keep banging on about the example of Matt Smith who is captain of Brisbane Roar,” he said.

“But he’s such a good example. Six years ago he was working hard playing in a lower division club until I noticed him in a pre-season game just like the one these boys will play.

“Matt Smith has gone on to win two championships with Brisbane Roar; he’s their captain; he just played against Juventus in the A-League All Stars; and he’s knocking on the door of Australian selection.

“You just never know what a coach is going to see in you as a player and for any of these players who dream of a career in football, this is a great time to step-up and show what they’re capable of doing.

“And even if they don’t want a career in football, it’s a nice bragging right with mates to have played an A-League side!”

The squad selected includes five players from Brothers, three each from Burdekin, Rebels, Saints and Warriors and two each from Ingham, Olympic and Ross River.

The squad will train under the direction of the combined coaching team of Craig Bacon and Paul Daly from Brothers, Angelo Licciardello from the Burdekin and Mick Tonner from Rebels with support and input from Ferguson and Northern Fury’s Technical Director, Harry Bingham.

The selected players are:

Valentine AKEM, 24, Midfielder, Warriors Damian ANDREWS, 36, Goalkeeper, Brothers James ARTIS, 26, Defender, Brothers Jonathon BAGLEY, 21, Midfielder, Brothers Angus CAMPBELL, 19, Defender, Saints Matthew CAREY, 17, Defender, Ingham Nick FIGG, 20, Defender, Rebels Mark GILLAN, 24, Forward, Burdekin Campbell HUME, 24, Forward, Saints Jacob HURNEY, 17, Defender, Olympic Lachlan Indian MANNING, 24, Midfielder, Ross River (JCU/Kelso) Christopher MANGAN, 26, Midfielder, Saints Michael MINISINI, 24, Defender, Brothers Ryan MOTTIN, 22, Midfielder, Burdekin Reid MURRAY, 18, Forward, Ingham Jake NAVARRO, 27, Forward, Brothers Scott NOLAN, 24, Defender, Ross River (JCU/Kelso) Liam PHELPS, 16, Forward, Rebels James PIGGOTT, 18, Forward, Rebels Joshua SEARLE, 27, Midfielder, Burdekin Michael SHEEN, 24, Midfielder, Warriors Joshua SIMONS, 25, Goalkeeper, Warriors Nathan WHITTON, 30, Defender, Olympic The North Queensland All Stars will play the curtain-raiser match against the Newcastle Jets on the final day of the Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup on Saturday August 30th , preceding the clash between Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar.

The other two match-days of the tournament on Sunday 24th August and Wednesday 27th August will see Northern Fury FC play a curtain-raiser match against Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar respectively, with main matches between the other two A-League clubs.

Tickets are on sale now via Townsville Tickets or from the Northern Fury office at Murray Park, ranging from $10 for a child to $25 for adults. Concession and family prices are also available and extra seating will be brought in for the event.

For further information about the Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup, see www.townsvillefootballcup.com.au