IT’S ON! BUSINESS TIPS IN TO BRING SYDNEY FC TO FNQ:

Business steps in to save Sydney FC’s FNQ camp

JUST days after Sydney’s FC pre-season camp to Cairns was all but dead and buried, the A-League heavyweight’s trip north has been miraculously revived.

Earlier this week, Cairns Regional Council made an offer of $25,000 to support the Sky Blues pre-season camp in the Far North for next month, which fell well short of the $50,000 needed.

Following council’s offer not fulfilling Sydney’s requirements, a group of local business people have this week come together to develop a package that will satisfy the A-League club’s needs for the camp and pre-season friendly.

Sydney FC, coached by Innisfail legend Steve Corica, will now play a select local XI from the FNQ Football competition early next month at Barlow Park.

The A-League heavyweights will land in the Far North on September 6 and stay for a week.

When the game is to be played is yet to be decided, with the football community keen to play the game on Saturday, the day after they arrive, which would force fixture movement for local matches, but it would provide a much better timeslot for spectators.

The alternative would be the Tuesday evening, September 10.

FNQ football technical development manager and Papua New Guinea all-time international leading goalscorer Reggie Davani will coach the FNQ side.

They will start training next week for the fixture against the four-time A-League champions.

“It is exciting for everyone in the football community,” new FNQ Football administrator Alex Srhoj said.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our local players to go up against the best footballers in the country.

“It is a serious development chance to our players.”

It was suggested Brisbane Roar may come to Cairns to play Sydney, but the opportunity for locals to feature against the reigning champions of Australia was prioritised. Sydney always remained optimistic a northern camp would go ahead, despite council’s little offer.

Townsville-based players, who recently featured in the Frank Farina Cup, may be included in the FNQ side to bolster the squad and draw in a wider audience for the game.

It will be Sydney’s third recent visit to the Far North.

They played Cairns FC in the FFA Cup 12 months ago, as well as in late 2013 Brisbane and traditional rivals Sydney battled for pre-season honours at Barlow Park.