The soaring success of the Newcastle Jets is doing more than lifting spirits in the stands – it’s driving a surge in grassroots football across the region.

With the Hunter-based outfit relishing a seven-game winning streak, with no signs of slowing down, the ripple effect is being felt well beyond the A-League pitch.

And, Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) CEO Peter Haynes says the timing couldn’t be better for local clubs. 

“I think everyone benefits when the Jets are successful,” he said.  

“It’s great timing for us – with Newcastle in hot form, right in our peak registration period, is fantastic. 

“We’re thankful for that… and it’s a very exciting time for football.”  

Northern NSW Football CEO Peter Haynes with Lake Macquarie City mayor Adam Shultz. Photo: Tianna Sadaj

Haynes admitted strong A-League performances consistently translated into local growth – not just in registrations but in overall engagement with the game. 

“When you see young boys and girls and families engaging with the top flight club, and talking about it, we see it in the media a little bit more, we hear about it on the radio, we see it on the TV, we see more people going to games – that’s only a good thing for football,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.  

“That flows into people’s decision making when it becomes time to decide what sport to play this year.”

NNSWF is already feeling the impact, with registrations tracking about 20% higher than the same time last year. 

“It’s a great place to be,” Haynes admitted.  

“However, we need to make sure we continue to drive that momentum, and that we’re supporting clubs to be able to cater for that growth and giving everyone a great experience. 

“It’s not just about collecting more and more players.

“It’s about making sure that, as that growth occurs, we’re able to give those new players a fantastic experience and keep them in the game.” 

Haynes believes one of the biggest factors behind the current buzz is the visibility of local talent succeeding at the elite level, too.

“I think it does translate into more football content – whether that’s traditional registrations, people coming into summer football to try the sport, or simply becoming a volunteer, a referee, or a coach, we definitely do see an uplift,” he explained. 

“Particularly this year, the Jets are doing so well with local players, and that’s really important for the local community.”

He pointed to youngsters like Will Dobson, Xavier Bertoncello, Ben van Dorssen, Lachlan Bayliss and Max Cooper as examples of footballers who have progressed through local pathways to the A-League stage. 

“I take my six and 10-year-old boys to the games… and they understand Will Dobson’s story,” Haynes said. 

“They understand the local boys’ stories have come from the Academy or local football clubs and to see them progress at a higher level just amplifies people engaging in the game.

“There’s the saying in football that you can’t be it, if you can’t see it.

“That’s so important – to see the journey, to see not just them get an opportunity, but to take that opportunity and be successful.

“Newcastle and Northern New South Wales Football is a regional centre.

“But, that doesn’t mean that we’re limited in terms of what we can do, the opportunity we have, or what we can achieve.

“And, for the Jets to be on top of the table in February, with local kids, it is so great.”

The flow-on is also being felt in the women’s space, with female participation now making up more than 35% of NNSWF’s playing base – one of the fastest-growing segments of the sport. 

“We’ve seen the girls have so much great success,” Haynes said.

“To have our girls as such good role models is huge.”

And for Haynes himself, the resurgence is personal. 

“Myself and my boys, we go to most games and we’ll be there on the weekend,” he said. 

“They absolutely love it.

“We’re Jets fans and have been through the difficult times, so it’s great to now be a part of the good times.”

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