In the lead-up to tonight’s pre-season match at Wests between the Brisbane Roar and the Newcastle Jets, coach Gary van Egmond and star players Michael Bridges, Ryan Griffiths and Jobe Wheelhouse visited the Tamworth Sports Dome to inspect the facility’s futsal courts. 

The Jets were blown away by the quality and size of the Dome for a regional centre.

Mr van Egmond said futsal was a great way to get introduced to football and to keep skills up for the outdoor season.

“What more could you ask for than having a game out of the weather over summer in a great facility like this?” he said. 

The visit from the Jets coincided with an announcement from Sports Dome manager Peter Dale that when futsal season kicked off in the next few months the program would be directly managed by Tamworth Sports Dome staff.

“The Sports Dome has entered a partnership with Northern NSW Football to deliver the program this year, so all players will still be registered through FFA, but it provides the opportunity for the competitions to be run locally and managed by the Dome,” Mr Dale said. 

“We are also working closely with Football Tamworth, local clubs and Northern Inland Football to make the program a success. We have details on our website and Facebook pages and would welcome existing and new players alike.”

The program will cater for all potential players including juniors, from under sevens to 11-year-olds; youths aged 12 to 16; and will also offer games for premier league, social league and women’s league teams. 

Following the visit to the Dome, the Jets players headed out to Carinya Christian School for a meet and greet with the students.

The Jets have had a jam-packed calendar of events since they arrived in Tamworth on Thursday afternoon. 

They met with Northern Inland Football representative teams and participated in a coaching session that night; visited two schools, attended a sportsmen’s lunch and a training session yesterday.

Tonight’s A League match kicks off from 6.30pm at Scully Park. Tickets are still available.