THE Newcastle Jets will take on the best players in the Coastal Premier League (CPL) north at C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Thursday 25 August at 6:30pm.

The Jets have a strong affiliation with the North Coast having played two A-League matches, pre-season friendlies, clinics and now they go face to face with the best players in the region.

In preparation for the upcoming A-League season Jets coach Arthur Papas has arranged a one-week bootcamp in Coffs Harbour that includes a pre-season friendly against the best players in the CPL north.

Head of coaching and player development at North Coast Football (NCF) Alex Nolan has been appointed coach and is backing the young guns from the six northern clubs of the CPL – Coffs Coast Tigers, Northern Storm, Coffs City United, Boambee, Bellingen and Northern Storm.

“The average age of the squad is 21, with some youngsters as young as 17 who I believe could one day play in the A-League,” he said.

“We have combined the youth with some experienced players who have been performing each week with the likes of Golden Boot leader Marty Kelleher.”

The CPL has been an opportunity for the best junior players to flourish, making their transition to senior football.

Campbell Brear, 17, was given the captain’s armband for Northern Storm a few weeks ago and hasn’t let go following impressive performances and crucial goals at the business end of the season.

Coffs Coast Tigers are flying high in second place in the CPL with a nucleus of players who combine CPL with playing football for Coffs Harbour Senior College and who have reached the NSW Combined High Schools semi-finals.

“Some players to keep an eye on will be the ones who will be in the process of preparing for their Year 11 and 12 exams,” said Nolan.

“Coffs Coast Tiger’s youth Jacob and Marcus Field, Baden Rees and Ptolemy ‘Tolly’ Horan will bring plenty of energy to the squad.

“With 17-year-old Northern Storm captain Campbell Brear and Sawtell young guns Duncan Couper and Will McKinney keen to step up to the challenge for Arthur Papas’ squad.”

CPL champions and current leaders Coffs City United have seasoned campaigners in ‘Magic’ Marty Kelleher, Joel Hampson and Nick Malett bolstering the midfield for the All Stars.

Boambee have Mitchell Brewster and Tyh Murphy in the team and Bellingen have 18-year-old Rowan Juodvalkisin and Luke Beresford in the side.

While it’s an accomplishment to lace the boots up against an A-League team at a world-class stadium, many of the young players will be dreaming of bigger things and a good show against the Jets may get them on the radar.

“I’m really excited for the boys, it’s not everyday you get to play with the best players in the North Coast Zone and play against one of the best teams in the country,” said Nolan.

“Every weekend we have a NPL home game is a bonus for me as I get to go watch the CPL.

“Both talking to CPL coaches and keeping an eye around the grounds, I’ve selected a squad that I’m confident in and that can showcase the talent we have on the Coffs Coast.”

While preparations have been short, they have been intense.

“We only have a handful of sessions before the Jets arrive but what we’ve lacked in training they’ve made up for in enthusiasm, they are absolutely pumped,” he said.

“For me it’s about getting the boys all on the same page as quickly as possible so that they have an opportunity to showcase what they can do.

“It’s a 7pm kick off and we are hoping for a big home crowd to enjoy the quality of an A-League team and to cheer on the local players,” Nolan said.

By David Wigley