Two of the Newcastle Jets’ brightest young talents are preparing to represent Australia on the international stage.
Local teenagers Will Dobson and Max Cooper have been called into the U20 national team squad for the upcoming Australia-China Friendship Series.
The matches will see the Young Socceroos face China in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, on 28 March and 31 March.
For the two Newcastle products, the selection is another milestone in a journey that began in the region’s grassroots football system before progressing through the Jets’ Academy.
Dobson, an 18-year-old midfielder, has already begun to make a name for himself at senior level.
The Newcastle local played a key role in the Jets’ victorious 2025 Australia Cup campaign, scoring in the quarter-final clash against Macarthur FC.
The performance helped cement his place as one of the club’s most promising youngsters and recently earned him a contract extension that will keep him in the Hunter until the end of 2027/28 A-League Men’s season.
Defender Cooper has taken a similarly impressive path through the organisation’s development system.
The Warners Bay junior joined the Academy at the age of eight and progressed through every level before debuting with the ALM side against Adelaide United in the 2025 Australia Cup.
Cooper also played every minute of the club’s campaign as the Jets secured their place in the final, although illness prevented him from taking part in the decider.
The 19-year-old’s rise through the ranks follows a standout Academy career, which included winning the Jets’ Under-18 Players’ Player Award in 2024.
For Newcastle football fans, the selection of Dobson and Cooper represents another example of the region’s ability to produce elite talent through its youth pathway.
The upcoming Friendship Series will give both players the chance to test themselves at international level while representing their hometown on a global stage.
Young Socceroos head coach Trevor Morgan says he was keen to assemble the squad together for the first time in 2026.
“Following a successful year in 2025 with the U20 program, we’re excited to assemble in China as we build towards the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers,” he said.
“We are keen to see how this group of players take on the challenge of strong opposition on home soil.
“After exposing this age group to international football in two tournaments last year, we see this as great opportunity to build on our squad depth and give new players experience that can accelerate their development before our focus turns to FIFA U20 World Cup qualifying.”
For two teenagers who began their football journeys on local fields, the call-up marks the next step in what could be long careers wearing the green and gold.
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