Newcastle Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske would love to see people from Port Macquarie at their home games, but he knows it works both ways.
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As the Jets prepare to start another A-League campaign - likely to be in November - Mattiske said the club would look to use its "fresh start" to integrate the entire Mid North Coast region.
While many fans from around the region regularly make the two-and-a-half hour trip south to attend games, the Jets boss knows the club needs to make it worthwhile.
We want to be present; whether it's our employees that are coming to deliver coaching clinics to coaches in the region, whether it's running small clinics, whether it's doing appearances for our professional players.
- Newcastle Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske
"There is a focus on making sure that we appropriately represent and we appropriately connect with everyone throughout the Northern NSW region," he said.
"We would love to see people from the Port Macquarie region at our games, but we want to be in the Port Macquarie region as well. We want to be present; whether it's our employees that are coming to deliver coaching clinics to coaches in the region, whether it's running small clinics, whether it's doing appearances for our professional players. We want to be present."
In a COVID-normal world there will be challenges along the way, although the club are focused on strengthening a connection to the region that was formed through former CEO Lawrie McKinna.
"It's clear that Port and the Mid North Coast region is a region the Jets represent and we're very conscious that we've got to be active in that region," Mattiske said.
It's clear that Port and the Mid North Coast is a region the Jets represent and we're very conscious that we've got to be active in that region.
- Shane Mattiske
"That sits on our shoulders and we're looking for support. We want support ... our future is built on having a broad base of supporters. We know that as a club we've got a great foundation in terms of the number of people throughout all of Northern NSW that we represent and that currently support us.
"There are people who are interested in football or are interested in sport who will be our supporters in the future if we do the right things."
While uncertainty surrounds the make-up of the pre-season FFA Cup competition and where and when fixtures may be played, Mattiske didn't rule out bringing a game to the Mid North Coast should restrictions allow and the club be drawn to host the fixture.
We understand Port Macquarie is a really strong region for football and it's a great population centre that represents a large region of NSW.
- Newcastle Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske
"We understand Port Macquarie is a really strong region for football and it's a great population centre that represents a large region of NSW," he said.
"We're looking to ways we can be present and how we do that and there's a range of options, but none of these are locked in.
"Our thinking does go to opportunities across both A-League and W-League whether they're trial matches, whether they're looking to what the FFA Cup schedule looks like, bearing in mind that may be affected by COVID."
Mattiske said there is a whole range of activities the club is looking to that would allow them to engage directly with the Port Macquarie community along with the entire Mid North Coast.
They also wanted other regional New South Wales locations such as Armidale and Tamworth to feel part of the plan.
Of course we're looking across other communities as well to make sure we've got this responsibility across the broader region.
- Shane Mattiske
"Of course we're looking across other communities as well to make sure we've got this responsibility across the broader region," Mattiske said.
"Port (Macquarie) does stand up strongly as a very strong football community and we want to make sure that we're connected to that community.
Nothing was off the table in the future, including a repeat of the 2018 men's fixture against a Football Mid North Coast Select squad when 4200 people attended mid-week.
"None of that is off the table," Mattiske said.
"We're looking at a range of different options and we recognise Port has supported the club in the past and we're looking at initiatives that can ensure that continues and that we can engage even more deeply."
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