The future looks “extremely bright” for the Newcastle Jets, according to executive chairman Shane Mattiske.
After returning from Perth at the weekend with a 2-all draw (men) and a 1-0 loss (women), the A-League organisation will begin a formal sale process, which starts on Monday 23 October, following the appointment of professional services firm KordaMentha.
And, given the strong position the club is currently in, the boss admitted the time was right to find a new owner.
At the moment, the Jets’ titleholders are a consortium of parties linked to other A-League outfits, who stepped in to support Newcastle during a difficult period in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We boast a great heritage and are based in a huge football community,” Mattiske said.
“We’ve been a core part of the A-League competition since it started in 2005… and prior to that in the old National Soccer League (NSL).
“Now, Newcastle is poised to continue its growth.
“Especially, with the A-League increasing its engagement, expanding seasons and adding new teams.
“Along with the success of Australian sides, the Matildas and Socceroos, players and coaches on the international stage, it’s clear football has a great outlook in this region and nationally.
“We know there is real interest in this club, as there has been in other A-League organisations, including in the Auckland expansion licence.
“So, we’re confident the sale process will be competitive with interest from around the country and from overseas.”
Mattiske explained the Jets were in “great shape” to kick off the 2023/24 women’s (ALW) and men’s (ALM) seasons.
“Sponsorship has doubled over the past two years, as has membership, with the club targeting 8,500 members for 2023/24,” he said.
“We have highly-competitive ALW and ALM squads, which are importantly underpinned by a strong Academy containing 13 boys and girls’ teams that are delivering exciting talent into these line-ups.
“The boys finished the season in second place in the Football NSW Club Championship, ahead of Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners.
“As well, the girls have enjoyed great success representing the region with the under-18s undefeated in the national championships (NTC) and the under-14s and under-16s placing in the top four regions in the country.”
Mattiske thanked Newcastle’s owners for their support.
“When they stepped in to support the Jets, they were focused on building stability, establishing growth and sustainability and finally to assist the transition to a more permanent owner,” he said.
“They’ve delivered on that plan and now we can confidently move to new ownership moving forward.”
Meanwhile, the ALM opened their account with a 2-all draw against the Perth Glory.
A stoppage-time header from striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos allowed Newcastle to leave Western Australia with a valuable competition point.
The sides were locked at 1-all following goals to Adam Taggart (Glory) and Kosta Grozos (Jets).
Perth hit the lead when Stefan Colakovski capitalised on a loose ball.
But, Newcastle refused to surrender, leaving it to Stamatelopoulos to tie things up in the dying stages.
Rob Stanton’s boys head to AAMI Park for a showdown with the Melbourne Victory on 29 October.
The ALW team, after a first round victory, was unlucky in its clash with the Glory at HBF Park.
Despite having numerous opportunities, via Mindy Barbieri and Melina Ayres, the hosts took the lead in the 50th minute, via Susan Phonsongkham.
The Jets tried to break down Perth and young sparks Milan Hammond and Lara Gooch were injected into the game, however the home side held firm, prevailing 1-0.
The girls next face the Western Sydney Wanderers in a double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium on 5 November.
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