South Armidale’s Cody Watts and Navid Aminian, Demon Knights’ Callan MacGregor, East Armidale’s Hoani Morell and North Armidale Declan Druitt will line up alongside the Jets during their training match this Friday night at Consett Davis Fields at SportUNE.

Entry is free and open to the whole community and barbecue catering will be available, with the game kicking off at 6pm.  The training match is part of the  Newcastle Jets High Performance Training Camp taking place in Armidale from today until August 1.

“The boys are looking forward to testing their abilities with A-league players and the match officials are excited about the opportunity provided to them,” Director of UNE Life Dave Schmude said.

It has also been confirmed that Travis Heffernan will referee the game.  Heffernan is a UNE student and number one ranked referee in the Premier League.

 “We will be delighted to welcome Cody, Callan, Hoani, Declan and Navid into our team’s inner sanctum as honorary Jets players on Friday night,” Newcastle Jets head coach Scott Miller said.

“We trust that the opportunity to warm up with our players as well as play in our training match will be a highlight for the players themselves, their families and friends, as well as the local Armidale community.”

Morell, a UNE Education student, is thrilled to be running on field with a team of this calibre. 

“I just can’t wait and I’m very grateful to SportUNE and the Armidale Council for having the foresight to bring an A-league team to Armidale,” he said.

The Jets arrive in Armidale today and will be officially welcomed tonight with a dinner at the Armidale City Bowling Club.

The A-League club will hold a junior coaching clinic tomorrow from 4pm to 5.30pm before the training match at 6pm.