There was great excitement at Wauchope Public School when young soccer players got tips from top Newcastle Jets soccer players on Tuesday.
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Jason Hoffman loves playing for the Jets and Newcastle is his home town.
Daniel Georgievski agreed to a two-year deal with the Newcastle Jets in May this year.
There was a question and answer session, and then the professionals did a little bit of coaching with the kids.
Daniel said one of the toughest players he came up against was Ronaldo.
Jason and Daniel are both fullbacks, although they began as strikers and attacking midfield players.
“I think we couldn’t score enough goals,” Daniel told the young players.
“You just change as your body changes. Everyone wants to be a striker, but it’s not always possible.”
One pupils asked if they met each other through soccer.
They said they met when Daniel was playing as a left fullback for Melbourne Victory and Jason was a right winger and right fullback for Melbourne City, so they were literally up against each other.
“We played against each other in the Melbourne derby a few times, and we had a few scuffles but now I’m very happy to be Daniel’s team mate,” said Jason.
“That’s one of the wonderful world of football, you become friends in the weirdest ways, and you make friends for a lifetime,” said Daniel.
One boy asked Jason what his favourite position was.
“Fullback. A fullback is not just about defending, if you can get forward and attack,” replied Jason.
It was a memorable afternoon for the boys and girls.