The Newcastle Jets will welcome their 500,000th spectator through the turnstiles of EnergyAustralia Stadium this Sunday when the team takes on intrastate rivals Sydney FC.
The Newcastle Jets will welcome their 500,000th spectator through the turnstiles of EnergyAustralia Stadium this Sunday when the team takes on intrastate rivals Sydney FC. The 3,979th spectator to enter the ground will receive a piece of signed Jets memorabilia as recognition for being the half-millionth Jets fan.
Over the past three and a half seasons of the Hyundai A-League, the Hunter club has seen 496,021 spectators enter EnergyAustralia Stadium in 42 home games. The result of this achievement is an average attendance of 11,810; the fifth highest in the competition, including finals figures.
It is a milestone that comes at a crucial point in the club-s season, with a priceless three points and bragging rights up for grabs at the Jets- home this weekend. Newcastle will be without influential on-field figures Joel Griffiths and Mark Milligan who are ruled out through suspension, and will need to draw on the passion in the stands to make the most of their home ground advantage.
In a week dedicated to the supporters, the club-s second Fan day of the season will take place this Friday evening from 5pm at Adamstown Oval. There, fans will be able to mix with their favourite Newcastle Jets players from the Hyundai A-League and National Youth League sides, and enjoy the rides and amusements, small-sided games, and special guest appearance from Santa in what is sure to be a great night for the whole family.
Jets CEO John Tsatsimas today praised the fans of the club and emphasised the importance of supporters to the overall growth of the game.
“We certainly have a wonderful supporter base here in Newcastle, which is evidenced in our crowd figures and highlighted by this weekend-s impending milestone,” he said.
“If you look at crowd figures on a per capita basis we are up there with the top sides in the league, and in most instances we outperform the larger cities.”
“Newcastle is, and has been for many years, a real heartland of football in Australia, and that coupled with the success of the team since the inception of the Hyundai A-League, has given us great numbers of knowledgeable football fans in this region.”
“It is our belief as a club that the fans are the lifeblood of our game. They are the ones playing in parks on the weekends, spending their time and energy in the football community, and giving this game the verve and passion that makes it so unique,” Mr. Tsatsimas explained.
In what is shaping up as a mouth-watering weekend of football in Newcastle, the program for the Newcastle Jets is as follows:
Friday, 5 December: Newcastle Jets Fan Day
Venue: Adamstown Oval
Time: From 5:00pm (AEDT)
Entry: FREE
Saturday, 6 December: Newcastle Jets Youth Team Vs Sydney FC Youth Team
Venue: Adamstown Oval
Time: Kick-off 5:00pm (AEDT)
Entry: FREE
Sunday, 7 December: Newcastle Jets Vs Sydney FC
Venue: Kick-off 5:00pm (AEDT)
Entry: Tickets from www.proticket.com.au or by calling (02) 4915 2345.
