Charlestown Azzurri have retained former A-League players Nigel Boogaard, Taylor Regan and Jacob Melling as they work to lock in a coach for the 2023 NPL men's competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Azzurri's season and time under coach Graham Law came to an end with a 1-0 extra-time loss to Olympic in week one of the finals.
The departure of Law and news this week that top scorer Riley Smith was joining Broadmeadow had raised questions about Charlestown's squad for next season.
However, Azzurri director of football Roby Valentinis said Boogaard, Regan and Melling had re-signed, while Smith was their only loss, apart from retiring skipper Matt Tull. Regan, in particular, had been targetted by rival clubs.
"I'm glad to say Taylor is an Azzurri boy through and through and he'll be playing with Azzurri next year," Valentinis said. "Fortunately, credit to the boys, it's not all about money, it's about playing for their club. We've re-signed pretty much all of our players. There's only a few more to go."
James Pascoe, who left Jaffas early in the 2021 season, is expected to take over as coach at Charlestown but Valentinis said: "We still haven't come to exact terms with a coach yet. We are in discussions with a few people but we haven't put pen to paper with anyone."
He said they were chasing a quality striker. He confirmed former Jet Roy O'Donovan, who lives locally, had been spoken about but he was staying at Sydney Olympic.
MORE IN SPORT:
- Hamilton Hawks question consistency over player suspensions: Hunter Rugby Union
- Brooke Summers on her clutch play for Newcastle Olympic in NPLW NNSW finals
- Newcastle's Anika Butler to play for PNG ahead of World Cup: Rugby League
- Knights prop Caitlan Johnston aiming high in NRLW finals
- Greens fly-half Sam Bright on the club's first GF appearance in Hunter Rugby Union since 2012
- Knights target Bevan French staying put at Wigan: Rugby League
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News