Before their trip to Newcastle on Tuesday, the year nine students were unaware what was involved in running a professional football club.

Then Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna, coach Ernie Merrick and a number of the club’s administration staff opened their eyes to it.

Fletcher noticed the amount of hard work that happens behind the scenes – there is more to it than just what you see on the field.

“They spoke to us about how there is more than one way to do what you want to do,” he said.

“Their sports scientist and strength and conditioning coaches had to work through being a PE teacher to get there.”

Ebbs said his eyes were opened to the professionalism of the players – even on the training pitch.

“Everything was top speed all the time and it was a great experience to see that and meet all the players,” he said.

“The most important thing was they want 100 per cent all the time and that was something we weren’t doing at school.

“We need to take every opportunity to train and treat it as a game.”

Saint Columba Anglican School coach Tony Judge has been an integral member in striking up the relationship between the A-League club and the school.

“We run the Jets regional hub academy at the school and we will have opportunities to work with the Jets to further our teachers knowledge about sport and football specifically,” he said.

The school’s year 10 elective sports classes as well as their year nine talented athlete program participants took part in the excursion.

“It was a range of kids that we took down, not just the football kids who saw there are a range of things they can pursue within sport if that’s something they choose to do,” Judge said.

“It gave them the opportunity to see the different avenues you can take to be involved in sport and it is about giving them the best chance of success after they finish school.”

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News.

To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.