The Newcastle Jets are pleased to announce the re-signing of local talents Ben Kantarovski and Jacob Pepper.
The Newcastle Jets are pleased to announce the re-signing of local talents Ben Kantarovski and Jacob Pepper, both on two-year deals (end of the 2015/16 season).
Kantarovski couldn’t be happier to commit his future to the Jets, especially after battling with knee injuries in the past two seasons.
“It-s really exciting,” the Broadmeadow junior said.
“I-ve missed a lot of football, so this is another chance to get out there and play for Newcastle for another two years.”
For 21-year-old defender/midfielder Pepper, re-signing at his local Club is an honour.
“It-s great that I-ll be here for another two years,” the West Wallsend junior said.
“It-s always good to play for your home club and growing up it was always something that I aspired to do.”
On top of their football duties, both players are securing their future off the field by studying at the University of Newcastle.
Pepper is studying a degree in Nutrition while Kantarovski is studying a degree in Psychology.
“You just don-t know what-s going to happen with your football career,” Pepper said.
“You could get injured and go off the radar, so you need a backup plan and it-s good after my football career that I can continue with my nutritional work.
“It-s good being at the uni and it just makes it easy being at the University of Newcastle.”
Kantarovski added, “I-m three years into my course now and I-m getting more an more into it and enjoying it the more I get to learn new things.
“It helps being this close to the uni with training and the uni helps with classes, helping us juggle them around our football careers.”
Jets CEO Robbie Middleby says the re-signing of Pepper and Kantarovski is another huge boost for the Club, after Adam Taggart re-signed on Thursday.
“Ben and Jacob are great individuals on and off the field and we are really pleased two young local players will continue their careers at the Jets,” Middleby said.
“Ben is in great form and we believe his best football is ahead of him while Jacob-s versatility and commitment are an asset to the Club.
“Both players epitomise that Newcastle spirit.”
Kantarovski and Pepper are part of the University’s Elite Athlete Friendly University program, which provides a support scheme for elite student athletes, allowing them to combine sport and study, and plan for their life after sport.
