How the Newcastle Jets Academy went undefeated on their way to becoming Premiers
The Newcastle Jets Academy were crowned FNSW League Two Men’s Premiers and gained eligibility for promotion to the League One Men’s competition for 2025 after their 5-3 home victory over Inner West Hawks FC in Round 27 and their eyes are set on more success for their youngsters.
With the title and promotion wrapped up with three weeks to spare, all done undefeated, the Jets found themselves in a unique position to be one of the most successful sides in the competition’s history, with an undefeated season still possible.
Speaking to Newcastle Jets Academy Head Coach, Damian Zane, the manager outlined how the goal at the Jets academy is to improve players to help them develop in their careers and how the possibility of an unbeaten title triumph only hit recently.
“The fact we had not been beaten only kicked in about five weeks ago but a bit of a change has been rather than the focus being on the individuals, the focus is on the team and playing for the club – the individual growth has just taken off by itself.”
The club has faced adversity throughout the season, with the ownership of the Newcastle Jets not finalised until mid-June with the acquisition of the club by Maverick Sports Partners.
“Our boys did not even know the club was going to exist at one stage and that was in the middle of our season. They just kept working hard and getting the results, it shows you the mindset of this group, it is a team-first mentality.”
Zane gave big credit to all his players but leading the charge on the players’ side has been captain Ben Van Dorssen, who playing centre-half at 19-years-old has stepped up in many areas this season, which has included being rewarded with a two-year scholarship deal with the Newcastle Jets’ A-League Men’s team, as well as a call-up to the Young Socceroos squad in July.
“He has been a leader, and he deserves everything he has gotten.
“If I could sum it up, I talk about the [3-2 comeback win] against Central Coast United where he scored two goals, that was a real captain’s knock.”
With the Premiership title wrapped up in undefeated style, Zane hopes the group can carry that on into the final matches of the season and create a bit of history, going through the whole season undefeated.
“Not just undefeated – we want to go out there and win those final matches, it would be pretty special, especially considering where the club was a few months ago, where it could have been the end for us.”
Zane’s assistant at the Jets, Nathan Byrn, who has previously worked with the Central Coast Mariners at their academy, had nothing but praise for the way the group has played under Zane.
“He is a coach who I have loved working with because he puts the players first and is really passionate about giving the boys the opportunity to play at the highest level they can – he needs to take a lot of credit.”
Byrn also spoke on Zane’s relationship with the Newcastle Jets A-League Men’s Head Coach, Robert Stanton, and how their working relationship has helped the players develop.
“You can see a lot of our goals are combination goals [all of us] are on the same page and you do not often get that, I can probably count on one finger the amount of times we have disagreed on something.
“One day in the future, with a great team around him [Zane], he could be very successful in the A-League Men’s.”
Heading into 2025 in the League One Men’s competition, Byrn said he was excited for the future of the Jets.
“Everyone is on the same page working together.
“Rob [Stanton] has done everything he can to help us get promoted, going above and beyond.
“Hopefully the players can keep working hard and step up to the next level.”
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa (@_dylancosta)
