Maitland FC midfielder Sophie Nenadovic believes the NNSW All-Stars can surprise the Newcastle Jets when they meet on Saturday.
The Northern NSW All-Stars will face Newcastle Jets at Darling Street Oval as part of the A-League club’s pre-season preparation.
NNSWF have selected senior men’s and women’s representative teams to play as the Northern NSW All-Stars to take on Newcastle Jets’ men’s and women’s teams.
Similar matches have previously appeared on the football calendar but the formal partnership between Northern NSW Football and Newcastle Jets has cleared the way for the fixtures to return annually.
Nenadovic, a former A-League Women’s player with Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners, will represent the NNSW All-Stars Women’s team.
The 27-year-old said she looked forward to the match and believed the All-Stars could surprise the Jets.
“I’m really looking forward to [the match]. I think I’m most excited for us to showcase what Northern NSW Football has to offer,” Nenadovic said.
“I think we’ll give them a good hit out and we might surprise them.
“It’s a great opportunity for a lot of the players that potentially want to go the next level. To get that chance is really exciting.”
Tom Beecham has been a key part of the Broadmeadow Magic side that has won back-to-back premiership-championship NPL Men’s NNSW doubles.
The young centre-back will represent the NNSW All-Stars men's team and believed the match would be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what NNSWF has to offer.
“It will be a great test. It’s a good opportunity for everyone to put their best foot forward and represent the league to show what we’ve got,” Beecham said.
“It’s a great opportunity not just for myself but for everyone to put on display what they’ve got to offer.
“It will be good to get a taste of the next level as well. It’s always a good experience and hopefully the Magic players can take it into the [Australian] Championships that we’ve got coming up as well.”
NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes was excited to showcase talented northern NSW players.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for our players and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they go,” Haynes said.
“It’s going to be a wonderful occasion at Darling Street on Saturday. The Newcastle Jets have taken on the responsibility for the match day including the venue, broadcast and ticketing which we’re incredibly thankful for and appreciative of.
“Hopefully we get a wonderful crowd to come out and support football in our region.”
Northern NSW All-Stars v Newcastle Jets Match Day Information
WHEN: Saturday 20 September
WHERE: Darling Street Oval, Hamilton
KICK-OFF TIMES: Women’s match 3pm, Men’s match 5pm
GATES OPEN: 2pm
ENTRY: Free for Jets members
$5 for non-Jets members
Kids under 12 go free
PARKING: Supporters are advised to arrive early and leave plenty of time to enter the venue due to limited parking and with a large crowd expected.
TICKET DETAILS: Tickets are available HERE
BROADCAST: Newcastle Jets will broadcast the matches through BarTV.
