The 2017/18 Foxtel National Youth League (NYL) season kicks-off this weekend and we’ve got everything you need to know about this year’s campaign!
The Format
As has been the case for the last two years, the ten NYL sides will be divided into Conference A and Conference B. Each Australian Hyundai A-League side has a team, with Canberra United evening up the numbers.
The Jets are in Conference B, which includes local rivals Central Coast Mariners, along with Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Canberra United.
Within each conference the teams will meet twice – once at home and once away – to make up eight matches in the regular season. The winning side from each conference will play in the Grand Final scheduled for early February.
Last season the Jets finished 4th in Conference B, a couple of wins from Sydney FC who finished on top.
The Draw
Just like their Hyundai A-League counterparts, the Jets will be in action against the Central Coast in the first round of the competition starting this weekend.
The exciting news is this season, that the Jets will be involved in two W-League-Youth League double headers, starting with this weekend’s match.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm at No.2 Sportsground, with the W-League match between Newcastle and Canberra getting underway at 4.30pm.
The Venue
For the first time, all the Newcastle Jets Foxtel National Youth League home fixtures will be played at No.2 Sportsground, and all home matches after round one, will kick-off at 4.30pm.
The Dates
There are just four home matches to get to, so make sure you put these in your diary!
Sunday 19 November at 7.30pm v Central Coast Mariners
Sunday 3 December at 4.30pm v Canberra United
Sunday 7 January at 4.30pm v Sydney FC
Saturday 27 January at 4.30pm v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Even better, entry is FREE to all matches. For full fixtures, see below.
The Coach
After taking the reins from A-League assistant coach Clayton Zane midway through the most recent National Premier Leagues (NPL) season, Labinot Haliti will continue to coach the side over the 2017/18 NYL campaign.
Last season, Haliti became only the seventh player in Newcastle Jets history to play 100 games for the club, when he came off the bench against Sydney FC in round 27. The former striker has made a quick transition into coaching and is looking forward to the upcoming season.
“It’s been great, obviously when I got injured I started to do my [coaching] badges and started to get more into it and Lawrie [McKinna] had been great through the transition,” said Haliti.
“It’s been very smooth, very easy and very enjoyable, and that is due to Lawrie and Ernie also helping me – I couldn’t have asked for a better transition or a better place to work at the moment.”
“I think it’s a short competition so we just want to be competitive each game and see where that leads us to the end of the season.
“We will take it one game at a time. It’s important we don’t think too far ahead, we’ve got a young squad, but, we are looking forward to it.”
The Squad
Tristan Esquilant
Kane Runge
Kaleb Cox
Mitch Dobson
Jacksin Frendo
Kieran Hayes
Tyson Jackson
Pat Langlois
Solomon Monahan-Viika
Jordan Salt
Joe O’Connor
Angus Thurgate
Kent Harrison
Cameron Joice
Finn Parris
Yerasimakis Petratos
The Fixtures
Round 1 v Central Coast Mariners – Sunday 19 November – 7.30pm at No.2 Sportsground
Round 2 v Sydney FC – Sunday 26 November – 5pm at Lambert Park
Round 3 v Canberra United – Sunday 3 December – 4.30pm at No.2 Sportsground
Round 4 v Western Sydney Wanderers FC – Friday 8 December – 7pm at Marconi Stadium
Round 5 BYE
Round 6 v Central Coast Mariners – Saturday 30 December – 10.30am at CCM Centre of Excellence
Round 7 v Sydney FC – Sunday 7 January – 4.30pm at No.2 Sportsground
Round 8 BYE
Round 9 v Canberra United – Saturday 20 January – 4.30pm at Canberra (TBC)
Round 10 v Western Sydney Wanders – Saturday 27 January – 4.30pm at No.2 Sportsground
