ANY Newcastle fans that can make the trip to Bluetongue should do so, we could protest in front of cameras and get on telly, drown our sorrows with alcohol and watch the gypos lose

I'll be there. Are we gonna go Gold or Blue/Red

If you are going to do this (which I say is bollocks) you should go in Gold. Tinks brought the Blue and Red in to mirror the Knights, so to wear his colours is to still support his ownership!

Attending?

Attending?

Jets fans, if you're free on Saturday, make your way to Jack Neave Oval (Ulinga Oval) to show your support for the Jets youth guys and the other juniors (who play South Cardiff) who need a pathway to professional football in Newcastle. A show of solidarity is needed to show just how important the Jets are to Newcastle.

Not doing the gosford trip, going to bypass that shit hole and make my way to ulinga.

I love making lineups so felt like doing a NJ one, since im so jelly of your recent signings

Bench - Kennedy, Chapman, Taggart, NTS/Tiago

apologies if i got any positions wrong

James Brown arrives in Newcastle

Monday, 7 May 2012 5:30 PM 

Newcastle Jets recruit James Brown says he is looking forward to playing an attacking brand of football under Jets head coach Gary van Egmond next season.

The 22-year-old said the key factors that attracted him to the Jets was the Club’s playing style and the exciting young squad they are assembling under van Egmond.

“I think Newcastle play some nice football, so that is one of the things that attracted me to playing under Gary and I think I’ll fit in nicely,” Brown said.

“It was pretty important, from what I’ve seen over the past couple of seasons, Newcastle have been on the right path and they’ve made a couple of good signings as well and I think that’s what attracted me to come here.”

Brown arrived in Newcastle for the first time today and is eager to start settling into his new surrounds.

“The lifestyle is pretty similar to where I’m from, it’s on the beach and I think that’s what attracted me most,” Brown said.

“I already know Ben Kantarovski among others, so it always makes it easier when you know some of the boys and it makes the transition a lot better.”

The Australian under 23’s attacking midfielder made a habit of scoring spectacular goals during his time with Gold Coast United and he said he was hoping to bring that same spark to Hunter Stadium.

“Hopefully I’ll score a couple of goals and play some nice attacking football,” he said.

Brown will link-up with the rest of Newcastle squad when they commence pre-season training on May 21.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/James-Brown-arrives-in-Newcastle/47221

Changes to the Football Department

Thursday, 17 May 2012 2:08 PM

The Newcastle Jets has today made further changes to its Football Department structure as the Club continues to prepare for the 2012/13 season.

Lee Clark, who started with the Jets last season, has been promoted to Football Operations Manager/Athletic Development and will manage a greater aspect of the on-field operations of the Club.

Meanwhile, the role of former international David Lowe as Recruitment Manager has been absorbed with a more hands on role of talent identification to be undertaken by the coaches.

Clark’s role will also allow the coaching staff to oversee talent identification in conjunction with CEO Robbie Middleby and Advisory Board Chairman Ray Baartz.

Together they have already brought some of Australia's most exciting young talent to the Jets for the 2012/13 season with Josh Brillante recently joining James Brown, Adam Taggart, Craig Goodwin, Mark Birighitti, Scott Neville, Connor Chapman and Mitchell Oxborrow.

"David has been an important contributor since the new management took over the Jets," Middleby said.

"The Club is heading in a different on-field direction, with youth and local talent our key targets to be complimented with a variety of quality experienced on and off field contributors.

"David is synonymous with football in Newcastle and I am sure he will be an important part of continuing to build a strong 'Old Boys' network.”

Additionally, the Jets have also thanked Brad Funnell for his role as Equipment Coordinator / Massage Therapist as the Club restructures this part of the football department.

The Jets commence pre-season training on Monday at Ray Watt Oval, where the majority of the Clubs' new signings in attendance.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Changes-to-the-Football-Department/47389

Middleby: Club on the right path

Wednesday, 16 May 2012 4:21 PM

Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets CEO Robbie Middleby believes the number of quality players wanting to join the Jets and the willingness shown by others not to leave Club is the ultimate compliment for the direction the Club is headed.

Today newcastlejets.com.au sat down with the man at the helm to discuss the season ahead.

Q: The off-season has been an interesting time for the Jets, it must be exciting that pre-season commences on Monday?

RM: It certainly has been an off-season we couldn’t have foreseen. In saying that, we understand and support the Hunter Sports Group’s decisions and appreciate their renewed support of the Club.

We are of course, looking forward to pre-season, welcoming our new players and starting training to put us in good stead for the new season.

Q: Can you take a positive out of the whole experience?

RM: You can. The town united and showed that football matters to the people of Newcastle.

I think in the end, most fans realised that Nathan Tinkler originally stepped in and saved the Club, confronted Frank Lowy when he felt he and the Club had been wronged and in the end had the FFA resolve the crisis to ensure the Jets have never been stronger.

More importantly, many of the problems in the A-League are being corrected and the game in Australia is much stronger because of Nathan Tinkler.

The Hunter region has a rich football history and the support we received from the Club’s members and supporters showed just how ingrained football is in the community here.

That passion and commitment is why we had the second largest membership base and third highest average attendance in the A-League last season and why the Club will continue to grow.

Q: A number of players from last season’s squad have left the Club, are these decisions difficult to make?

RM: Of course they are. However, the fact that those players have shown they are prepared to wait in the hope the Jets will offer them a contract, I believe is the ultimate compliment for what we’re doing here.

Even those who were told they wouldn’t be offered a new contract held on to a glimmer of hope that they would get an opportunity to stay at the Jets.

If players are reluctant to leave the Jets, I think it shows that Club is on the right path. It’s a credit to the culture we’re building and all the things Newcastle has to offer.

Q: Is this the case with the report about Labinot Haliti in today’s local paper?

RM: Midway through the 2011/12 A-League season we met with Labinot to inform him he wasn’t in our plans going forward.

The reason we did that was to give him every chance to find another club, because he is a great individual and deserved the respect of being told as early as possible.

It disappoints me when personal issues like this are aired in the media without the full details being unveiled, however I take it as a massive compliment to our Club that Labinot and many others have not wanted to move on and simply wanted to stay with the Jets.

No club nor its players or coaching staff could receive a greater compliment.

Q: The Jets have already been busy during the off-season, identifying and recruiting a number of Australia’s brightest football prospects. You’ve already added Australian youth internationals James Brown, Mark Birighitti, Joshua Brillante, Craig Goodwin, Scott Neville, Mitchell Oxborrow and Adam Taggart to the squad. How excited are you by these signings?

RM: We’ve assembled a group that contains some of the best young footballers in the country.

We have 12 contracted players who have represented Australia at either under 17’s, under 20’s or under 23’s level in the past 12 months. A number of these players will have an instant chemistry having already played together for the various national teams.

Also, the fact that these stars of the future are so eager to come to Newcastle to be a part of the Jets shows how highly regarded the Club is in playing circles. They can see the Club has a bright future and that is certainly a vision we share.

Q: Why do you think that players of this calibre are so eager to join the Jets?

RM: They see the potential that the Club has. We’re developing a good culture here and we have great a playing, coaching and backroom staff.

On top of this we have excellent training facilities, a great stadium and the second largest membership base in the A-League, so they know they will be playing in front of passionate supporters each week.

It’s no wonder so many players are enthusiastic about playing here.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Middleby-Club-on-the-right-path/47352

The Newcastle Jets commenced 2012/13 pre-season training on Monday at Ray Watt Oval.

With coach Gary van Egmond away, assistant coaches Craig Deans and Bob Catlin officially welcomed the team back and along with Strength and Conditioning Coach Adam Waterson, put the group through their first session.

Scott Neville, Adam Taggart and Josh Brillante participated in the field session with Jets regulars Ryan Griffiths, Jacob Pepper, Taylor Regan and Michael Bridges, who is in the final stages of his contract negotiations with the Club.

Ruben Zadkovich, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, James Brown and Jobe Wheelhouse were in a rehab group and didn’t train with the main group.

“For Ruben and Nikolai, they finished last season injured, so we will manage their loads in these early weeks and ease them back into training,” Physiotherapist Robert Dingle said.

“Whilst after taking a number of conservative measures, we have decided to get Jobe’s toe operated on early next week.

“This operation will clean up the affected joint, which will set him back a month but will ensure he doesn’t have this ongoing problem with his foot next season.

“And with James Brown, he sprained his ankle at the back end of last season and we are assessing him and will work out when it is best for him to resume training with the group.”

Tiago Calvano has been given extra time to stay with his family in Brazil, whilst other new signings Craig Goodwin and Mark Birighitti also have extra time off before they join the team.

2012/13 Membership Update

Sunday, 20 May 2012 12:57 PM

it is fantastic news for Newcastle Jets Members and supporters with the team kicking off their pre-season training this week for the 2012/13 season.

2012/13 NEWCASTLE JETS MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Very soon, the Jets will also release the 2012/13 Membership Packages. With this in mind the Club would like to bring the following important information.

Membership on-sale date:

The 2012/13 Membership Campaign will be launched at midday on Wednesday 20 June. All 2011/12 Members will receive a personalised Membership Pack in the post with easy to renew instructions. This pack will arrive in the days leading up to the campaign launch.

In the coming weeks the Jets will give more details including pricing and package inclusions. Keep an eye on your emails to stay up-to-date.

Update your details:

If you’ve recently changed your email or postal address, click here to log into your account and update your personal details to ensure you receive your 2012/13 Membership information. If you are part of a family package, please ensure that all linked Member details are correct.

Members have until Wednesday 30 May to update postal details (if they have changed) to ensure Membership Pack goes to the correct address.

Want to join as a Member this season?

Love the Jets but didn’t join over 10,000 others and make the Membership commitment last year? Don’t miss out this season; register your details today to ensure you receive 2012/13 Membership Pack when they go on sale in June.

Click here to register your details.

Perpetual Payment Plan Members:

The Jets are pleased to advise that those Members that joined last year and opted for the Perpetual Payment Plan will be automatically renewed for the coming season, saving you the trouble of filling in forms or renewing online.

Members on the monthly or annual Perpetual Payment Plan will have by now received a letter regarding the renewal of your Membership.

2012/13 Seat Requests, Allocations and Fulfilment:

Members are advised the Newcastle Jets will not commence any seat changes until the renewal period is completed.

Members on the Monthly or Annual Perpetual Payment Plan

Members wishing to change seats who have opted to continue on the 2012/13 Monthly or Annual Perpetual Payment Plan will be required to submit a Seat Change Request Form once the on-sale period commences on midday, Wednesday 20 June.
Members will be sent the link on Wednesday 20 June to submit their Seat Change Request Form.

Members not on the Monthly or Annual Perpetual Payment Plan

Members wishing to change seats who are not on the Monthly or Annual Payment Plan will receive their Renewal Membership package on Wednesday 20 June and will need to submit their relevant Renewal Forms along with any with Seat Change request.

Members will be sent the link on Wednesday 20 June to submit their Seat Change Request Form.

2011/12 Members will have a 5-6 week period to renew their Membership and maintain their seating. Following that, all un-renewed seats will be made available to new and renewing Members looking for a seat change.

All Members will receive their Membership card and inclusions in September.

Newcastle Jets Membership Team:

If you have any questions about our 2012/13 Membership Campaign, don’t hesitate to contact the Jets Membership Team:

Open: 9am – 5pm
Phone: 02 4907 8711
Web: www.newcastlejets.com.au
In Person: Hunter Sports Superstore, 294 Turton Road, Lambton NSW 2305

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/201213-Membership-Update/47419

Newcastle Jets review Advisory Board structure

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 2:40 PM 

The Newcastle Jets has today announced further off-field structural changes as it continues its development to become one of the leading Clubs in the A-League.

While Ray Baartz will retain his role as Chairman of the Jets Advisory Board; Neil Jameson, Keith Harris, Cheryl Salisbury and Joe Senkalski are moving on from their role on the Advisory Board.

Baartz will play a key role in identifying new Board members and maintaining the Club's rich history and culture.

CEO Robbie Middleby thanked the outgoing Advisory Board members.

“With the changing times and new challenges, we are looking to take the Club in a new direction,” Middleby said.

“The Jets are supported by an experienced coaching, medical and commercial team who are working on an overall business plan for the successful growth of the Club into the 2012/13 season and beyond.

“We would like to thank Neil, Keith, Cheryl and Joe for their contribution and dedication over the past 18 months.

“We look forward to Ray’s continued support and expertise as our Chairman, and in time, welcoming new Board members to the Jets.”

The new Advisory Board will assist the Jets as they move into the next chapter of the Club’s history, but no time frame has been placed on the appointment of the new Advisory Board members.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Newcastle-Jets-review-Advisory-Board-structure/47431

Oh, brother: siblings in state league duel

BY CRAIG KERRY
23 May, 2012 04:00 AM

BROADMEADOW take on the Jets Youth on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash everyone in the state league has been waiting for.

But it’s safe to say no one is looking forward to it more than the brothers Virgili, Hoole and Kantarovski.

The brothers, who are all Broadmeadow juniors, will be on different sides of the contest at Wanderers Oval and keen to get one up on their sibling.

Matt Hoole, 20, Luke Virgili, 21, and Michael Kantarovski, who celebrated his 17th birthday yesterday, will be in the Magic squad for the match.

Andrew Hoole, 18, and James Virgili, 19, will be in the Newcastle line-up, while Alex Kantarovski, 18, is in the Jets squad but he is recovering from a torn left quadriceps and will miss the game.

But they, like the Hoole and Virgili brothers, said the match had been on their minds all season.

James is back from a break just in time for the match but will likely be on the bench for the Jets.

He took on his big brother Luke, who plays on the left for Magic, in a trial game between the clubs and was keen for another crack.

‘‘I play on the right so hopefully I can come off the bench because I’ll be on his side,’’ James said.

But when asked which brothers were most likely to clash, they all pointed at the Hooles.

Andrew, the Jets youth league player of the year, has starred at right fullback for the team and was training with the A-League side at the end of last season.

His older brother has taken up a permanent role in the midfield at Magic this season alongside captain John Bennis, who will miss Sunday’s match through suspension.

Matt and Andrew clashed late last season when the state league under-23 side took on the Jets youth in a representative trial match.

They were both keen to tackle each other again.

‘‘I’m playing defensive midfield and one of my jobs is to pressure the left or right fullback, so it could happen,’’ Matt said.

The Kantarovski brothers, the younger siblings of Jets and Olyroos star Ben, may both not make it onto the field.

Alex tore his quadriceps after scoring a goal in the round-one win over West Wallsend and is still about two weeks away from returning to the field.

Michael, who came into the senior squad this year, has started in State Cup matches for Magic but comes off the bench in league games.

However, their presence and that of the other brothers in the opposing camps will be celebrated on Sunday by Broadmeadow, who have built a strong relationship with the Jets.

‘‘We’re really proud of our involvement in the Jets youth program and we embrace it wholeheartedly,’’ Magic president Steven Foteff said.

‘‘There have been so many boys from the club who have been there, so we look at it with a sense of pride.

‘‘But we are also relishing the thought of deciding who’s going to be at the top of the table.’’

The Virgilis’ father, Robert, is assistant coach of Broadmeadow, adding another element to the family battles on Sunday.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/oh-brother-siblings-in-state-league-duel/2565431.aspx?storypage=0

Cooper joins in Jets training

Monday, 4 June 2012 1:28 PM 


Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets midfielder Mitch Cooper took part in his first training session in Jets colours at Ray Watt Oval today.

The 17-year-old travelled down from the Gold Coast by car yesterday before linking up with his new teammates on the football pitch this morning.

“It was a good session, it was pretty intense,” Cooper said.

“They’ve had a few weeks going hard at it so I’ll still have to do a bit of catching up, but I enjoyed it, it was really good out there.

“I’ll just be working into it with the rest of the group, but I might be given some extra work to help me catch up.”

With the Jets’ coaching staff making sure the vast majority of the players’ conditioning is taking placing with the ball this pre-season, Cooper said he was relishing having the ball at his feet so long before the season starts.

“Usually it’s a bit more just running and stuff, but these days everyone is using the ball in pre-season which I think is obviously the best thing you can be doing,” he said.

“It helps us to get to know each others’ games a little bit better which is important when you have a few new players.

Cooper spent most of his playing career in the National Youth League team at Gold Coast United, before making his impact on the A-League towards the end of the 2011/12 season.

The skilful play-maker said he was looking forward to being involved with the Jets’ senior squad throughout the duration of the pre-season.

“Especially training with the A-League side to start-up with, you want to get used to that level and hopefully the team starts to grow even more and I get to play with those guys even more,” he said.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Cooper-joins-in-Jets-training/47606

Jets youth still have room for improvement

Tuesday, 5 June 2012 10:55 AM 
Newcastle Jets assistant coach Craig Deans believes the Club’s youth team still has room for improvement despite their 2-0 win over the Weston Workers Bears at Thomas and Coffey Park on Saturday.

Abe Wheelhouse opened the scoring for the Jets inside the first 25 minutes before Andrew Hoole sealed victory with his side’s second goal of the match in the closing stages.

The victory returned the Jets to the top of the NBN State League table, ahead of Broadmeadow Magic on goal difference, although the Magic do have a game in hand.

However, despite the result, Deans said the young Jets still had plenty to work on if they were hoping to find their best form soon.

“The result was good because it gets them back to a better position, but from my point of view, I was a little bit disappointed in the discipline they showed to be perfectly honest,” he said.

Deans said the team’s inability to fully adhere to their game plan had proven to be detrimental in recent weeks.

“The last two weeks they haven’t shown the right sort of discipline that we’ve asked of them and that’s been disappointing,” he said.

“That has probably been masked a little bit by the fact that they won this week, but on another week against another opposition they might not have got away with it.

“It was a positive result but there’s still a lot for room for improvement.”

The Jets’ next opponents will be Valentine FC at Cahill Oval on Saturday. The Jets secured a 1-0 victory when the two sides last met in the opening match of the season.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Jets-youth-still-have-room-for-improvement/47619

Jets film Membership campaign

Tuesday, 5 June 2012 5:43 PM 

The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have called on the Hunter community to get behind them for the upcoming A-League season at the filming of their 2012/13 membership campaign today.

Fan-favourite Michael Bridges said the Jets were eager to increase their membership tally from last season.

“It was fantastic to have over 10,000 members last year and we want to see them all come on board again,” he said.

“We want to make 11,000 if not more, so we can become one of the most supported teams in the league.

“Having new fans in the stands supporting us every week is like having a 12th man on the pitch, and that helps us as well.”

Forward Ryan Griffiths said he hoped to see the Jets’ members and supporters show the Club’s new batch of recruits what representing Newcastle is all about.

“These players are up and coming superstars in my opinion,” he said.

“Training in general has picked up I’d say 50%. The boys are extremely professional.

“Speaking to some of the players they say the reason they came to this City is because of the good reputation it has got.

“It will be nice to show them that the fans are behind them and giving them every opportunity and also to show them what welcoming spirit in Newcastle is all about.”

One of those new squad members, James Brown, said a vocal home crowd could help the team to perform better on the park.

“It helps us to play in front of bigger crowds, so the message is to sign-up as a Member and get down to the games,” he said.

Midfielder Ben Kantarovski said the Jets would be looking to reward the Club’s Members and supporters with strong performances on the field.

“We have a very new squad and it will be good to have all our Members there again supporting us and for us to be playing for them,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get them some very good results throughout the season.”

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Jets-film-Membership-campaign/47629

Jets lock in first pre-season fixture

Thursday, 7 June 2012 3:47 PM

The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have locked in their first trial match of the 2012/13 pre-season against the Canberra Rockets in Canberra next month.

The former Hyundai A-League champions will face a difficult test against the ACT representative team at Deakin Stadium on Wednesday, July 11.

Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said the Canberra fixture will form an important part of his side’s preparation during their lengthy pre-season schedule.

“I know we will be in for a good game against the Rockets, having witnessed the standard of football during my time in Canberra,” van Egmond said.

“It is great to get one of our pre-season games locked away and we look forward to getting down to Canberra as we continue our preparations for the new season.”

The match will coincide with the 22nd Kanga Cup youth tournament celebrations that are also taking place in the Australian capital.

Capital Football CEO Heather Reid said Canberra was looking forward to hosting the Jets.

“I am delighted to be able to announce that the Newcastle Jets will be in camp in Canberra for a week in July and, as part of their pre-season preparations, will play the Canberra Rockets,” Reid said.

“This is fantastic news for the men’s game in Canberra and will give our local talent a chance to shine and show just how strong the loop Premier League is.”

Rockets coach Rob Graham echoed the sentiments of Reid, saying the fixture will provide an excellent chance for the Canberra players to showcase their skills.

“I want to show that the players from the ACT can play. I want to play good football and show the people in and outside of the ACT that we have good players and can represent well at the highest level,” Graham said.

Match details:
Newcastle Jets FC v Canberra Rockets
Wednesday, July 11
Deakin Stadium, Deakin
Kick-off 6.30pm

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Jets-lock-in-first-preseason-fixture/47680