Newcastle Jets will welcome reigning Hyundai A-League Premiers and Champions Adelaide United to Hunter Stadium in round 1 of the club’s 2016/17 campaign after the competition draw was revealed this morning.
The round one rumble with the Reds marks the start of a massive first month of matches for Scott Miller’s side, with the Jets also hosting Brisbane Roar (round 2) and Sydney FC (round 4) either side of a trip south to take on Western Sydney Wanderers at Spotless Stadium.
Jets Members and supporters will only need to wait until round 7 to witness the first of two F3 Derbies to be held on home turf next term, while a special Boxing Day encounter against Wellington Phoenix at Hunter Stadium has also been scheduled.
Miller’s men will play fixtures at some unique A-League venues in January 2017, including a round 13 meeting with Melbourne Victory at Simmonds Stadium in Geelong, a round 16 clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at Campbelltown Stadium, and a round 17 community focused clash against Melbourne City in Coffs Harbour.
The Coffs Harbour contest – which will be played at C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Friday 27 January – is one of the Jets’ home games next season. In partnership with Coffs Harbour City Council, Northern New South Wales Football and North Coast Football, the Jets will use the fixture just after Australia Day to engage football fans right up the North Coast.
Admission to the Coffs Harbour contest in round 17 plus the final F3 Derby of the campaign away to Central Coast Mariners in round 26 will both be included in Jets Membership packages, ensuring the number of games available to full season Members next season remains at 14. Memberships will go on sale next week.
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Newcastle Jets interim Chief Executive Officer Mr David Eland said the draw received by the club possesses a number of highlights.
“There is arguably no better way to start the season than at home against last season’s Premiers and Champions, Adelaide United,” Eland said. “We had a number of tight contests with the Reds last season, and I’m sure that with a big build-up we can count on a healthy crowd coming to our home ground in round one.”
“In fact, the club needs just 16,258 people to pass through its gates to reach 1.5 million attendees to A-League matches at Hunter Stadium, and it would be great if we could crack that milestone in round one next season.”
“Our team went undefeated against F3 Derby rivals Central Coast Mariners last campaign, including two wins against them in Gosford. I am sure our Members and supporters will already be circling those home fixtures in rounds seven and 21, and likewise our two matches at Hunter Stadium against Sydney FC in weeks four and nine,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Jets can confirm that ‘RAAF Round’ will return next season, however the date has not yet been set. Last season ‘RAAF Round’ featured an impressive pre-match fly-over from three F/A-18 Hornets, moments of recognition for Air Force personnel, while the team wore specially designed Air Force inspired kits for the clash with Brisbane Roar.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A NEWCASTLE JETS HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE 2016/17 DRAW GRAPHIC
