THE Newcastle Jets enjoyed their visit to the region last week so much they’re already planning to return next year.
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Wrapping up their northern NSW tour in Tamworth on Saturday, the A-League side announced it intends to repeat its tour next year and incorporate a pre-season trial against an A-League opponent in Tamworth as part of it.
“Last night’s (Friday) intra-club training match in Armidale was a superb occasion and success, with hundreds of locals turning out to Sport UNE (University of New England) to watch the team play three intense 20-minute periods,” Jets chief executive officer Mitchell Murphy said.
“However we believe that next year we can make the tour even bigger and better, and have resolved to work with Destination Tamworth, The Wests Entertainment Group Tamworth, and our major community partner, The Greater, so that an A-League pre-season trial can form part of the trip.
“Playing in Tamworth, as we have done in the past, will enable fans from many parts of northern New South Wales, Newcastle and elsewhere to watch the Jets in action.”
Northern Inland Football general manager Steve Griffith was delighted about the news.
“We’re very excited the Jets are going to be back to play a pre-season game,” he said.
He was full of praise for the way the Jets conducted themselves and engaged with the community during their Armidale training camp.
“From my perspective, their tour of northern NSW has been fantastic,” Griffith said.
“They were so professional and spent so much time with the kids.”
That community engagement has been “sadly lacking” in the last few years.
“The night game inviting five Premier League players to play – that was a fantastic thrill for them,” he said.
It’s an experience Cody Watts, Travis Heffernan, Callan MacGregor, Declan Druitt and Hoani Morell will never forget.
“The feedback I got at the Armidale carnival was what a fantastic job they (Jets) did,” Griffith said.
The Armidale carnival he was referring to was the Jack Vallance Memorial Carnival.
It was held on Sunday and drew 75 teams from U6s through to U16s and stretching from Inverell down to Tamworth.
One of the highlights was the women’s representative fixture between Armidale and Tamworth.
Griffith said the game was an important step as the NIF moves towards trying to develop a regional women’s competition.
“It was a really good game,” Griffith said.
“There was nothing in it.
“It was 1-all until not long to go.
“Armidale snuck a goal inside the last 10 minutes.”
Maddison Russell slotted the decisive goal after Goshna Heldtz had struck for the home side and Jacinta Thornton for Tamworth.