After hanging up the boots following an illustrious career, Newcastle Jets legend Jason Hoffman looks forward to seeing what “Generation next” produces.
And, he’ll have a front row seat.
While most retiring footballers head off into the sunset, the 35-year-old will play a major role in the club’s changing of the guard – as it celebrates its 20th anniversary in the A-League, especially with several talented Academy members emerging from the ranks, including teenagers Ben van Dorssen and Emma Dundas.
For the youngsters, there’s not a better person to learn from at Newcastle.
In 2023/24, Hoffman registered his 300th game in the A-League – 220 with the Jets, making him the most capped player in the Hunter organisation’s history.
Following his debut in 2007, as a substitute against the Queensland Roar, he was also part of the team, which won the 2007/08 championship.
“It’s been a whirlwind start to life off the pitch at the football club,” the newly-appointed corporate and A-League player welfare manager said.
“I’m never someone who really tries to reflect too hard because I try and be present and move forward with everything I do.
“But, all I can say is that I’m so content and so happy and proud of what I was able to achieve over 17 years.
“I read a good quote recently that went ‘quite often you don’t appreciate the moments until they’re memories’.
Promoting locals into the A-League Men’s and A-League Women’s squads is vital for the Jets future.
Jason Hoffman
“It’s never a truer phrase said.
“When I look at a football career, that goes for a decent amount of time, with the memories I have, I feel so fortunate to have been able to do that, especially the majority of it here at my hometown club.
“I caught up with a few Knights Old Boys – Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley, Mark Hughes and Stephen Crowe – not too long ago.
“We had this conversation around ‘local’ and what it meant for Newcastle sportspeople.
“It’s really relevant for our world – and our code here – but we don’t champion it enough.
“For me, a key driver in my career was to, and maybe not knowing it at the time, try and become someone who was loyal and could leave a legacy.
“So, it’s nice to hear people recognise my contribution to the club.
“And, being a Newcastle boy, that’s probably more important than anything else that football could have provided me.
“Now, I have the chance to do it in the commercial space and look after the players as they on-board… let them know there’s support here and I understand what they’re going through and what it means to play for our club.
“What a fantastic opportunity to go into life beyond the game.”
Hoffman admitted it was important to pass the baton onto the young homegrown kids, especially the likes of van Dorssen and Dundas.
“Promoting locals into the A-League Men’s and A-League Women’s squads is vital for the Jets future,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong, this is going to take time because there’s been years in the past where it hasn’t been a focus… I mean producing players for the ‘firsts’ and what that local flavour means to our community and market.
“Now, we have coaches in place at the top (Rob Stanton and Ryan Campbell) who understand the importance of our Academy and how it produces players to be ready for A-League.
“That will only continue to grow and be better resourced, thanks to the new ownership.
“We have a chance to capitalise on that and have a real identity in producing local players who fans want to see.
“No matter what sport it is, Novocastrians are happy when Newcastle sides do well.
“The Knights Old Boys said they wanted to see the Jets succeed.
“And, growing up as a local footballer, I always wanted to see the Newcastle NRL team do well.
“So, there’s a real opportunity to hone-in on that.
“Hopefully, being a small piece of that puzzle, I can help facilitate it.
“That’s why it’s great to witness someone like Ben get a scholarship contract and Emma sign on for two more seasons.
“A lot of the credit must go to Damian Zane in the Academy space.
“In the NPL men’s team, a lot of those boys who really stood out have been rewarded with scholarships.
“So, if we can expose those players now to the A-League environment, and keep them in Newcastle, it bodes well for the Jets moving forward.
“To see Ben and Emma come through, as well as others from the Academy, I believe it’s perfect remedy to make the most of what we have in the region.”
Nineteen-year-old van Dorssen, who recently joined a Young Socceroos (U20) training camp, said it was a dream come true to be part of the Jets fold.
After playing for a couple of seasons with the Lambton Jaffas, he linked up with the Academy at the tender age of nine.
He just capped an incredible 2024, collecting the Football NSW League 2 Men’s Player of the Year.
“From a team perspective, getting promoted in the Youth system was a goal of ours for a long time,” van Dorssen said.
“I think it was about five years in the making, although we were unlucky a few times.
“So, that was the ultimate objective.
“But, to collect the individual award as well, it just complemented that goal.
To put my ambitions on paper, it would be to make my debut and get as many minutes as I can.
Ben van Dorssen
“On a personal level, I guess from the Academy’s under-12s, I started to believe I could become a full-time player.
“That’s when I began to look at it seriously.
“Since then, it’s always been my goal to finally make the men’s side and to do that [now] is very special.”
The defender is keen to soak up the experience as best as possible.
“To put my ambitions on paper, it would be to make my debut and get as many minutes as I can,” van Dorssen told the Newcastle Weekly.
“Over the next two seasons, I want to learn everything from the senior boys and environment.
“So, having someone like Hoffy (Hoffman) still at the club is great.
“You can touch base with him as well as other people who remain connected to Newcastle and get advice from them, including the A-League guys and the coaches.
“I can’t wait.”
As for the changing of the guard, van Dorssen will proudly wear 44 on his back – the same number as one of his idols, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, who donned the Jets jersey on almost 200 occasions.
“There are two reasons why I wanted it,” he said.
“Throughout my Youth system, I’ve always been 4 or 24 or 40, so four is a recurring number.
“I also used to do a few sessions with Topor-Stanley and my first A-League session was when he was at the club.
“He wore 44 and was a bit of a mentor for me, so it’s pretty special.”
Dundas, meanwhile, has already attracted the attention of national selectors.
The 17-year-old midfielder not only made her debut for Newcastle, against F3 rivals Central Coast Mariners, in round one of 2023/24, she was also named in the Junior Matildas for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup.
“I love playing for my hometown team,” she said.
“To start with, I just wanted to be like my older brothers and my dad, who played football.
“I began at Barnsley as a junior then moved into the Academy in the under-10s.
“I’ve been with the club ever since.
“It’s probably my favourite thing, playing soccer.
“It is the best part of the week.
“I always look forward to training and playing.
After gaining national selection, it gives me a good level of confidence to know that I’m capable of mixing it in the A-League.
Emma Dundas
“Balancing school (West Wallsend High) and football can be tough… I’ve just got to stay organised and on top of things; prioritise the right stuff.
“However, I was definitely surprised to make my debut last season and to play as many matches as I did.
“I wasn’t expecting it.
“Then, I was so grateful to go on and play under-17s and under-20s for Australia.”
That individual achievement, and Newcastle’s appearance in the ALW semi-final, has Dundas primed for another big 12 months and the chance to follow in Emily van Egmond and Clare Wheeler’s footsteps.
“I really think we can go all the way this year,” she said.
“We’re all keen for the opening round.
“Plus, after gaining national selection, it gives me a good level of confidence to know that I’m capable of mixing it in the A-League.
“I’ll use that into this season… and build off it.”
The ALM side kicks off 2024/25 against Melbourne City at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 October, while the ALW team tackles the Western Sydney Wanderers in round one at No. 2 Sportsground on Sunday 3 November.
As for their respective chances, Hoffman’s optimistic.
“With the men, I feel if you look at the Australia Cup run they’ve had, they’d be disappointed by the loss to Macarthur,” he said.
“They led 2-0 and then 3-2 before dropping the match 4-3.
“But, the positive is, if it’s any consolation, the Bulls have gone on to be in the final.
“So, in regards to the A-League landscape and if you measure yourself at this point of the pre-season, you’d go we’re not at our best yet, however we pushed Macarthur all the way.
“And, because they’d be devastated by missing that [Australia Cup] opportunity, it means their mindset has changed.
“They want to win every game.
“I believe, with the way they finished 2023/24, we can have real success this year.
“It’s often a struggle for coaches to balance the results with producing players, however I feel Rob’s very strategic and planned in this area.
“I think we’re going to see the best of both worlds.
“Then we have the women’s squad.
“When you look at what they achieved last year, reaching the semis, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be very clear in everyone’s mind that they should have one goal – that is to be champions.
“They gained a lot of experience in elite ALW company, so the younger girls will be better for it this time around.
“And, I believe they have a real chance to capitalise on that success under Ryan in 2024/25.”
- The Newcastle Weekly is a media partner of the Newcastle Jets
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