It is the second successive year the Jets have visited this area, in what Football Mid North Coast (FMNC) chairman Mike Parsons described as “a massive boost for the code here.”

“We had about 200 kids aged 6-14 get involved in the clinic which was just fantastic,” he said.

“The afternoon was great, the young girls and boys got to rotate around a number of skill stations with the Jets players, there were plenty of opportunities to get autographs, photos and have a chat with the players, there wasn’t a sad eye in the house.”

Mike explains the relationship between FMNC and the Newcastle Jets is a strong one that has continued to grow through the clinic. 

“Previously we have had some kids head down to have a kick around before an A-League game which they loved, so we are hoping to get that organised again this year too,” he said.

“It’s just great to be able to continue promoting this fabulous game in the region.”

Following the afternoon clinic, the A-League squad travelled on to Port Macquarie for a second clinic before the tour culminated in a match on Tuesday night against FMNC teams.

FMNC southern and northern selections will play a half each against the Jets in the clash to be played at the Regional Stadium.

Rod Bartley from Taree Wildcats and Jonathon Newman from Tuncurry-Forster have been coaching the southern side in the lead up, with players selected from the Taree, Wallis Lake, Tuncurry-Forster and Camden Haven clubs.

From the Great Lakes region, Wallis Lake’s Reyne Black, Beau Wynter, Bayden Schumann, Mitch Yarnold, Ethan Perry and Roan Whitman, and Tuncurry-Forster’s Mitch Minors, Blair Smith, Mark Mallia and Jack McDonagh were chosen.

They joined Taree’s Curtis Jones, Lucas Mepham and Jackson Witts and Camden Haven’s Jeremy Robinson, Rob Holland and Jarrad Shaw.