In the final rounds of the 2020/21 A-League campaign, Archie Goodwin put in some eye-catching performances which help saw the Newcastle Jets avoid the wooden spoon.
The youngster scored from outside the box in the Jets’ 2-1 victory over this season’s premiers, Melbourne City and provided an assist for Roy O’Donovan in the Club’s 2-0 F3 derby win on the Central Coast.
“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions when you score,” Goodwin said.
“I was happy to get my first goal.”
Goodwin’s opportunity to play with the first team was on the back of his impressive run in the youth squad, where he was also creating and converting chances.
The 16-year-old soon found his groove in the first-team training sessions after an initially daunting transition.
“When I first went out, I was really nervous,” Goodwin said.
“But when you are in that environment for longer periods of time you become use to it.”
Playing alongside the likes of Nigel Boogaard and Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Goodwin was on the footballing park with the footballing idols that he used to merely watch from the stands of McDonald Jones Stadium.
“I used to be that little kid sitting in the crowds just looking up to all those boys,” Goodwin said.
“To be out there with them now, it’s an honour because they’re all really good people.”
During his journey through the Jets academy system, Goodwin had to overcome a range of injury issues.
Goodwin remained determined and persisted through tough situations.
“When I went through my youth career, I had a lot of injuries and it kind of got me down,” Goodwin said.
“I kept going and kept kicking on and finally got my opportunity.
“Thankfully I stayed in the game.”
Along with trying to secure a career in football, Goodwin is juggling schoolwork and a host of assignment deadlines.
However, his recent run of success has put him into a light of stardom at school.
“I walked into the office and all the office ladies were saying ‘hello’ and were pretty proud of me,” Goodwin said.
“It’s just good to have a school that is pretty supportive of what I’m doing.”
Currently, under a scholarship contract, the youngster is tied down for the 2021/22 A-League campaign and is looking to build on his game during the off-season.
“I love Newcastle,” Goodwin said.
“I’ll start doing some training soon and getting myself ready.”
