A raft of Newcastle Jets youngsters have gained selection in a number of Australia national team youth sides over the past month.
Three young men and four young women have been selected for national teams, from the men’s under 19s team to the women’s under 16s.
Angus Thurgate was the highest profile Jets representative, selected for a training camp on the Central Coast with the under 19s Young Socceroos.
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The ultimate goal for Thurgate will be earning a spot in the final squad for the AFC U19 Championship, which kicks off midway through October.
There were four Jets Academy players selected for the AFC U16’s Women’s Championship Qualifiers, with the Australian side heading to the Kyrgyz Republic on 11 September for the tournament in the middle of the month.
Teagan Douglas, Kirsty Fenton, Ruby Jones and Josie Morley were all highlights in the NPL NSW Women’s under 17s Jets campaign this season.
There were two youngsters picked for the upcoming AFC U16 Championship, Broadmeadow Magic junior, Josh Benson and Hamilton Olympic junior, Adam Zervas.
Benson has been a revelation in the NPL Northern NSW under 16s competition this season with 51 goals in 23 games, while Zervas has scored nine goals from a deeper position in 2018.
A number of players haven’t been selected for national sides, but are on the radar for selection and have been identified as players with potential.
Future Young Socceroos could include Jets players Adam Sherrit, Keegan Hughes, Nicholas Matinelli, Sascha Montefiore, Bailey Wells, Jack Simmons, and Milo Bisogni.
Jets players such as Emma Bates, Tiahna Robertson, Mona Walker, Amy Parkinson, Renee Poutney, Paige Kingston-Hogg, Annie Grove, Tessa Tamplin, and Molly Arens are on the Young Matildas list of ones to watch.
Jets CEO, Lawrie McKinna paid tribute to the work of outgoing Academy Director, Mike Cooper for the raft of national selections.
“Mike has done a lot of good work with our junior players across the board, and it’s showing in how many young Jets are out there representing their country,” McKinna said.
“It’s just reward for all of these youngsters, guys like Angus Thurgate who had an incredibly strong season with the first team squad.
“Josh Benson and Adam Zervas have played a big role in the under 16s NPL Northern NSW Premiership win, while our four girls were outstanding in the NPL NSW under 17s competition this season.
“When you add the nearly two-dozen players on the national team shortlist, it says a lot about how well our Academy is doing.”
