The Newcastle Jets were embraced by the Tamworth community during their recent four-day stay in the Country Music Capital.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets were embraced by the Tamworth community during their recent three-day camp in the Country Music Capital.
As well as being busy on the field preparing for their match against the Brisbane Roar on Saturday night, the Jets also had a packed schedule off the field as they happily promoted the Club within the Tamworth community.
SEE PHOTOS FROM THE JETS’ VISIT TO TAMWORTH HERE.
Upon their arrival in Tamworth last Thursday afternoon, Jets players Jobe Wheelhouse, Taylor Regan, James Brown and Ruben Zadkovich attended a training session with Northern Inland Football (NIF) Southern Rep teams at Gipps Street fields.
This was immediately followed by the Jets coaching staff, lead by head coach Gary van Egmond, conducting a question and answer session with NIF representative coaches in the club house.
Prior to the Jets- training session on Friday morning, Tiago Calvano, Sam Gallaway, Joshua Brillante and Marko Jesic attended a Back to School Breakfast at Tamworth West Public School.
Following training at Scully Park, van Egmond, Wheelhouse, Ryan Griffiths and Michael Bridges attended a Sportsman-s Lunch with sponsors of the Northern Inland Football Challenge as well and local businesses and community members.
That afternoon also saw Mark Birighitti, Josh Mitchell, Dominik Ritter, Criag Goodwin, Ben Kantarovski and Jack Duncan attend a five-a-side Gala Day at Carinya School where they mingled with local school students and posed for photos and signed autographs.
Later in the day, assistant coach Craig Deans, Scott Neville, Regan and Zadkovich all appeared on the ‘Friday Send Off- program on local radio station 92.9 to preview the match against Brisbane.
Saturday morning saw Jacob Pepper, Mitchell Oxborrow, Calvano, Duncan and Gallaway make an appearance at a local shopping centre along with Brisbane Roar players as a final build-up for the match that evening.
Newcastle Jets Football Operations Manager Lee Clark said it was fantastic to see the way the people of Tamworth responded to the Jets- visit.
“The trip provided an excellent opportunity for both the Jets players and staff to promote the game in the Regional areas of the Hunter, engage with the community and hopefully convert more young players to play our game,” he said.
“We were overwhelmed with the way the community embraced us and the hospitality we were shown.
“The trip was made possible thanks to the organisation and financial support of Tamworth Regional Council and associated sponsors Wests Entertainment Group, ATAC (Australian Training & Consultation) as well as media partners 2TM / 92.9, NBN and The Northern Daily leader.
“A special thanks must go to both Gavin Flanagan and Michaela Stephens from Tamworth Council whose hospitality, professionalism, organisation and administration ensured the success of the three-day camp. A big thank you also to Dino Perizollo and Howard Stubbs of Northern Inland Football, Wayne Clarke and representatives from Tamworth District Football and NNSW Football.
“Thank you also to Donna Carey of Shopping World and Radio station 2TM / 92.9 for assisting with promotion activities for our players and staff as well as The All Seasons Hotel Tamworth for their hospitality.
“A special thanks must also be given to both the players and coaches who were exceptional in the way they conducted themselves.”
