Central Coast Mariners, the A-League soccer club, has secured US$200,000 in sponsorship from local authorities as part of a drive to promote tourism in the area when the club competes in the Asian Champions League. Australia's representatives last season, Adelaide United, reached the final of the competition, Asian club soccer's most prestigious prize.

The New South Wales government, Wyong Shire Council and Gosford City Council have joined forces to purchase the team's shirt sponsorship for the campaign. The new Mariners strip will carry the logo 'thecoast.cc'. The website, which will be launched on the morning of the Mariners' clash with Korean FA Cup winners Pohang Steelers, will contain information about the opportunities that exist from a professional and sporting perspective on the Central Coast.

"The AFC Champions League represents a chance for regions and clubs to be showcased to Asia and the world that simply does not exist in any other competition of any other code in this country," said Lyall Gorman, the club's executive chairman. "To that end, we are simply delighted that the NSW State Government, Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council have identified with the possibilities that exist through avenues such as business and tourism that only the Mariners and the AFC Champions League can offer. A commitment to showcasing the Central Coast region to Asia and to the world has been a core belief of our club since our inception and on Wednesday we'll first have the opportunity to witness the spectacle of an elite Asian sporting event in our own backyard. Further to this, we will be taking thecoast.cc with us to each of our visits abroad, with Tianjin in China alone home to over 11 million people."

Lawrie McKinna, the side's coach, said: "When the team's playing full of confidence like Adelaide was in the Champions League, anything can happen. I'm not going to say we're going to do as well but I only hope we could do half as well as Adelaide did and make the Central Coast proud."