The Mariners have also had their best ever membership drive - 3,500 :P

The achievement of 10,000 members is an incredible show of faith in the Hunter Sports Group by the Newcastle people. The cheap tickets help but I think it allowed many people to demonstrate in a substantial way that they want a stable and successful club, after decades on the rollercoaster. Tinkler is the first owner to put in a professional set-up that represents the broad base of the football community.

If the team can put in a good season, there's no reason why memberships won't increase next year. This is what we've been waiting for and it's great to see.

Impressive indeed.

Are these all full season tickets, or do Newcastle offer a suite of different membership types?

Either way, its all buy in, whether its $10 or $1,000, and more importantly a big population with whom Newcastle can now maintain an active and engaging dialogue.

Impressive indeed.

Are these all full season tickets, or do Newcastle offer a suite of different membership types?

Either way, its all buy in, whether its $10 or $1,000, and more importantly a big population with whom Newcastle can now maintain an active and engaging dialogue.

Broncos, Roar bookend Surfest on bumper weekend

CRAIG KERRY
05 Nov, 2011 04:00 AM

NEWCASTLE will enjoy a taste of Origin-style interstate rivalry next year when our footballing flagships host the Brisbane Broncos and Brisbane Roar on the same weekend.

The full NRL draw will be released tomorrow but the Newcastle Knights revealed yesterday they had successfully lobbied the NRL to have the round-three clash with the Broncos scheduled for Friday night, March 16.

Less than 48 hours later, on Sunday, March 18, the Jets will tackle defending A-League champions Brisbane Roar on the same Ausgrid Stadium turf.

Both Newcastle sides are now under the banner of Nathan Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group.

Adding to the sporting vibe, the finals of Newcastle’s annual Surfest, which is also being supported by HSG, will be staged that weekend.

Knights CEO Matt Gidley said the scheduling of the Broncos game, which followed news that Newcastle would host St George Illawarra in the NRL’s official season-opener, was another coup for the city.

‘‘I think from the NRL point of view, it’s a direct show of respect to the Newcastle community,’’ Gidley said last night.

‘‘Given they’ve allowed us to open the entire NRL season on the Thursday night and then back that up with the Brisbane Broncos two weeks later . . . I think the NRL were blown away when they came here for the Test match and saw the genuine rugby league supporters up here.’’

Gidley was confident the Brisbane match would continue a run of full houses at Ausgrid Stadium.

Newcastle drew a crowd of 30,729 for their final-round clash with South Sydney last season and then a ground-record 32,890 for last month’s trans-Tasman Test.

‘‘We can potentially have four consecutive sell-out matches,’’ Gidley said.

‘‘We’ve had the South Sydney match and the Test match, and now we’ve got St George Illawarra and Brisbane.

‘‘It’s just going to be a wonderful occasion for the entire region.

‘‘We’ll be able to showcase Newcastle, not just through our sport but also our beaches and our community.’’

The double-header weekend continues a spree of marquee events to be staged in Newcastle.

The exhibition match between the Jets and David Beckham’s LA Galaxy last November attracted worldwide kudos for the Hunter Sports Group.

Since then, HSG has been responsible for bringing a netball international and Darren Lockyer’s last home Test match to town.

The Newcastle Herald revealed yesterday that the Wallabies will play their first-ever rugby union Test match at Augrid Stadium next year, when they host Scotland on Tuesday, June 5.

Tourism Hunter executive manager Sheridan Ferrier said the bumper weekend of sport would be great for the region.

‘‘It all reflects what we are trying to do for tourism in the region because it will certainly benefit the local economy by having people here Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, and there are so many attractions here for them to see,’’ Ferrier said.

‘‘Surfest has been talking to tourism operators about the synergies and making that event great, and certainly when the football’s on it draws visitors into the region. ‘‘To have that game on the Friday night is going to be better, because then we have the spread of accommodation available.

‘‘If we had all the events on the same day, that’s not conducive to visitors having a pleasant experience.

‘‘Having it spread is also going to be beneficial to restuarants and cafes as well.’’


http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/broncos-roar-bookend-surfest-on-bumper-weekend/2347519.aspx?storypage=0

What the fuck that's so dumb. Why don't they have the Jets play on the Friday and Knights on the sunday? ripped up turf affects us 1000000000000000000000000000000000 times more than nrl.

Because then knightsfags will be the ones crying.

So what? They only have like 2k more members than Jets now, Jets are a pretty good side and just as firmly entrenched in the community particularly amongst the young people.

It sucks.

Any of you boys on the newcastlefootball.net forums?

Im fairly obvious because my user name is the same on both, but would be nice to know who I am talking to and can relate it to each forum as the same person.

It sucks.

Any of you boys on the newcastlefootball.net forums?

Im fairly obvious because my user name is the same on both, but would be nice to know who I am talking to and can relate it to each forum as the same person.

bay 3 row W. Some knob heads behind me.

Where is the best pub to watch away games?

My local usually only has 2 or 3 of us watching - if there is somewhere with say 10 or 20 fans I would be willing to drive out of my little beachside enclave and join the festivities.

Jets fans - a different breed

09 Nov 2011 | 00:00


It’s rare to find a group of people that welcomes being singled out as a ‘different breed’ but that is what makes Newcastle Jets supporters unique.



"Of course we are, it's part and parcel of coming from Newcastle, we have a fantastic team, fantastic ground, and fortress Newcastle is alive and well," one Jets fan said.

While another supporter was also unoffended by the term.

"No, I take it as a compliment. We’re different people."

More than 12,000 Newcastle fans converged at Ausgrid Stadium to watch their team play Perth Glory on Saturday night, pumped and full of ferocity. It was as though they were on a mission to stake their claim as the best supporters in the A-League.

"We're Novocastrians, most passionate people in Australia," one diehard said.

"I think we're more passionate than other fans. I think we're always showing up in great numbers and I think Newcastle crowds are more passionate about their sporting teams than any other region - but then again I'm biased," another supporter said.

There is no doubt Newcastle natives are fiercely loyal to their breeding ground and they are just as proud of the fact that their rivals fear their cauldron like home ground.

Since the Jets controversially adopted new stripes this year to incorporate the traditional red and blue colours that reflect Newcastle, a majority of supporters have jumped on board and decked themselves out in the new merchandise.

The new hues enhance the intensity at the stadium that is lined with red and blue seats and gives fan’s even more ammunition to boast a hostile environment for the opposition.

So what does being a Jets fan mean?

"Entertainment, hopefully winning, a day out,” one supporter said.

There is a definitive buzz inside the stadium and you get a sense from the crowd that it really couldn’t get any better than this in Newcastle, spending a warm and sunny afternoon backing your team.

Whether the fans are kicking back on the grassy hills behind both ends of the pitch or filling the stadium seats along the sidelines, you quickly understand what an event it is for locals to go to the football in Newcastle.

So what is the Jets’ community spirit like, especially in a city dominated by the NRL?

"Mate, the region, we love it. As soon as the A-League kicked off, everyone was involved in it. The change with the Tinkler group… we love the Knights, we love the Jets," one faithful said.

And while being a so-called ‘different breed’ may sound rather complex, it seems the motto is quite simple for Newcastle followers, well at least according to one supporter.

"I've lived here all my life, so I just go with it".

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/julie-nehme/blog/1080571/Jets-fans-a-different-breed

The Technical Bench

Thursday, 10 November 2011 2:27 PM 

We had a good win on the weekend against Perth Glory, another solid performance from all the boys. The team really seems to be adapting to what Gary is teaching them in training which is always good to see.

Both Gary and I have been extremely impressed with their ability to translate such a different style of play from training to match day.

Having previously worked with some of the younger players in the team, I like to make them feel comfortable come game day and give them a little bit of a pep talk before they take the field.

My job is to try and clam their nerves, and help them understand their job before running on. Jacob Pepper played well against Glory on Saturday, his first few minutes on the field were hits to Perth Glory and he contributed well.

It’s been just over three weeks now since Gary joined us and everyone has been adjusting to the different playing styles. I’m sure we will continue to adjust for the next couple of weeks to come.

I am greatly enjoying working along side Gary and am very comfortable with him, hopefully that is translating onto the field. He has been encouraging and supportive of my feedback and input during training sessions. Obviously I leave all tactics and game plan up to him but he is full of knowledge and I’m trying to soak up as much as I can.

As the boys approach another away game they will do so with a new mind set. We are trying not to focus on our surroundings, but on our game.

Melbourne Heart are a good team and they do have the home crowd advantage but we are prepared for a tough match and we will approach the game like any other, with confidence and a strong work ethic.

I have predominantly been focusing on the A-League recently and haven’t had as much to do with the youth side as I had in previous weeks.

Having said that, I have still managed to stick my head in the door and note their incredible progress. They have two draws and a win in their first three games of the season which has them in third place.

The youth side this year is enormously competitive. They are all working 100% and more to try and impress Gary. Unfortunately Gary hasn’t yet had enough time to have decent look at them play but during the next few weeks I’m sure it will be on his agenda.

Overall, both teams are sitting well this early in the season and I am very impressed with the quality of play that is being presented this early on.

I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but if we keep playing and improving like we have been the last couple of weeks the Newcastle Jets 2011/12 season will be one to write about.

Craig Deans

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/The-Technical-Bench/42518

Westfield Kotara joins Jets sponsor family

Friday, 18 November 2011 2:02 PM

The Hunter Sports Group are pleased to announce Westfield Kotara as an Official Partner and the Official Shopping Centre of the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets.

This innovative three-year deal will see Westfield Kotara as the only shopping centre where the fans and customers will be able to meet the Jets and Knights players.

Stylists from Westfield Kotara will also provide fashion advice and styling to the Jets and Knights players and their partners for the Clubs' annual Player of the Year Awards night.

"On a national level, Westfield are long term supporters of the A-League and W-League for the football, so we are delighted to secure this local partnership across both codes," HSG General Manager Sponsorship Mark Duffield-Thomas said.

"Westfield Kotara is the leading fashion destination in the Hunter Valley and this will be a great partnership for our Club and Members."

Westfield Kotara are pleased to join the Knights and Jets in an official capacity through the Hunter Sports Group.

"The Jets and the Knights brands are ambitious, fashionable and unique," said Ryan Burns, Westfield Kotara Centre Manager.

"We know both sport and fashion are so important to our customers and we are proud to partner with the Hunter Sports Group. We look forward to proving exciting experiences for our customers at Westfield Kotara."

For more information about Westfield Kotara click here.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Westfield-Kotara-joins-Jets-sponsor-family/42765

Newcastle Jets grab Melbourne Heart coach Arthur Pappas

by: David Davutovic From: Herald Sun November 21, 2011

NEWCASTLE Jets have headhunted Melbourne Heart youth coach Arthur Pappas.

The ambitious young tactician will join the Jets this week, becoming Gary van Egmond's second senior assistant and youth team coach.

Pappas, 31, was appointed as John Aloisi's youth team assistant at the start of the season but jumped at the chance to rejoin van Egmond after working with him at the AIS.

"Arthur goes to the Jets with our full blessing and we wish him the best of luck," Heart football chief John Didulica said.

Pappas most recently coached Oakleigh Cannons and was named coach of the year in the Victorian Premier League.

FFA has identified him as one of Australia's brightest young coaching prospects, which led to his stint at the AIS.


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/studs-up-november-14/story-e6frfg8x-1226200856901