Meet the Mariners’ next young gun

Young Central Coast winger Peter Kekeris has had his first taste of A-League action and is champing at the bit for more.

Mariners young gun Peter Kekeris Source: Central Coast Mariners

Kekeris is the latest graduate off the Mariners production line and arrived at Gosford two years ago after coming through Football NSW’s national training centre and the FFA’s Centre of Excellence.

The 19-year-old speedster debuted in the A-League in round 26 last season against Melbourne City, and featured in the FFA Cup round of 32 against Adelaide United in August.

Converted from the left-side to become a right winger under coach Mike Mulvey, he was handed a professional contract in July. Now Kekeris has his eye on more A-League appearances.

“Mike has shown faith in me. As soon as he came in, I was training with the first-team, it was about seeing if I deserved a professional contract,” he told The World Game.

“I came in and after four weeks, five weeks, Mike signed me and said he has big plans for me. He really backs my style of play and what I see on the pitch and what I do. 

“I’ve been loving every minute of this season . Obviously the results haven’t gone our way, but we’re just working hard in training. Trying to make things right and hopefully we cant start getting results. 

“The coaching staff has spoken to me and just want to keep improving physically. They told me I’m young, I need to stay patient. 

“When my chance comes they believe that I will ready and I will take it. I’m playing 90 minutes every week with the National Youth league boys and I’m waiting for my chance.”

Kekeris hails from Belmore and spent his formative years with Sydney Olympic. After a year with the FNSW NTC, he had two years in Canberra at the AIS, where his teammates included one Daniel Arzani.

Kekeris believes his time at the COE helped him “become a man”.

“The facilities were world-class – unbelievable pitches, unbelievable recovery, unbelievable gym,” he said.

“I think it made so much stronger mentally being away from my family at a young age. Doing things like cooking for myself, cleaning for myself, it helped me become a man. 

“Now living on my own is not a problem because I experienced it at a young age. It developed me, not only as a footballer but as a person. I was very, very disappointed to see it close. I was shocked.”

Kekeris joined Western Sydney’s Academy in 2016, but only spent four months with the club before heading north to the Mariners.

“It was about opportunity,” he explained.

“At the Wanderers, don’t get me wrong it’s a massive club and I loved it. But I just didn’t feel progression as much. So the opportunity arose to come to the Mariners and I couldn’t say no. 

“I looked at the Mariners and how many young kids play in the first-team. I was like if I go there in the youth team and do well, and I back myself to, then I knew if I put in strong performances and train well with the youth team that I would rewarded with a professional contract and A-League opportunities. 

“That’s what made my decision a lot easier.”

Kekeris was thrown in off the bench at AAMI Park in April. The winger only got six minutes but the experience has made him hungrier. 

“I’ll never forget it,” he said. 

“For me it was a dream come true. My family was so proud of me for making my debut but it’s just made me hungry for more. 

“I want more and more to get out there and hopefully this season show the fans what I can do. I’m just buzzing to get on the field.”

A Joey two years ago, Kekeris’ target is to one day play in Europe. The forward is keen to replicate the steps former Mariners like Mile Jedinak, Trent Sainsbury, Tom Rogic, Mat Ryan and Mustafa Amini going from Gosford to Europe. 

“100% I want to replicate them,” he said.

“My goals and aspirations are to play in Europe, in a top league in Europe one day but I know I have a lot of learning to do. Just now getting A-League minutes at 19 will help me and by the time I’m 21 I can get my move to Europe.

“That’s my goal.”