Former Australian Youth International Joel Allwright has today finalised a contract with Newcastle Jets through to the completion of the current Hyundai A-League campaign.
Allwright is a versatile player who last played with Adelaide City FC in the National Premier Leagues (South Australia) and the Westfield FFA Cup.
28-year-old Allwright has linked with the Jets as a mature aged rookie through to May 31 2017.
In 2005 Allwright played in matches against Mexico, Turkey and Uruguay at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship held in Peru.
The Australian Institute of Sport graduate later featured for his hometown Hyundai A-League Club, Adelaide United, in the FOXTEL National Youth League, before playing a number of successful seasons in the SA PS4 NPL.
“I am over the moon,” Allwright, who has spent the past week trialling with the Jets, said. “I have been waiting for a very long time to get a chance in the Hyundai A-League so I am very, very happy that this has happened.”
“The week that I have been here has been great. Newcastle as a Club in general is fantastic. I have been with all the boys and met a lot of new people and everyone has been very nice.”
“I have really enjoyed playing at Adelaide City over the past few years and I didn’t know if a chance in the (Hyundai) A-League or higher would happen, so this is a bonus.”
“I have only got four months or so on the contract so I am looking to make the most of my time at the Jets.
Allwright has been married for the past three years and also has a one-year-old daughter in South Australia. He said he and his family understand that life as a professional footballer often comes with sacrifices.
“It has been hard being away from them and I think it will be hard as the year progresses,” he said. “But everyone is very supportive and they know that I have been waiting for a long time for this, so they understand the sacrifices that we both need to make to make this work.”
Newcastle Jets Head Coach Mark Jones is sure Allwright’s addition will help add competition for places in his squad.
“Joel is an asset to the depth of our squad,” Jones said. “He is technically very good, and he is also a superb athlete.”
“Joel comes into the squad primarily as a back-up for our fullback roles, however he also offers utility value in the middle of the park,” he said.
