Newcastle Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske has added his voice to the growing chorus of people who are supportive of a new football facility at Sovereign Hills.
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It's just as well too because the Jets have said time and time again that they see the region north of Newcastle as part of their community.
Port Macquarie's new sporting complex, however, is still several years away from being built as it searches for additional funding.
The shovels are at the ready.
In the meantime, the Hastings will continue to run second to Coffs Harbour in the battle to attract big-ticket sporting events to the region.
It's definitely an advantage to the community and it will definitely be an advantage to be able to bring elite matches to the region as well.
- Newcastle Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske
But hopefully it won't always be that way.
"It's exciting to hear about the facility improvements in Port Macquarie," Mattiske told the Port News.
"It's definitely an advantage to the community and it will definitely be an advantage to be able to bring elite matches to the region as well. It's something we've been very supportive of in terms of that development and we're excited about seeing it come to fruition."
Mattiske's comments come after the Hastings region was yet again overlooked for Coffs Harbour when the Jets had all-but secured an A-League trial against Sydney FC on October 30.
When the regional travel ban was extended to November 1 last week, the fixture was off the table.
But it did highlight the need for an improved venue that can cater for sport tourism in the Hastings.
"We were excited about the prospect of being able to come up for a pre-season trial as we've done in previous years," the Jets boss said.
Plans were also in place for the Jets to play a Coastal Premier League All-Stars team on October 26 as part of the A-League clubs' five-day stay on the Mid-North Coast.
That also now won't happen but pleasingly it won't be the last time the Jets make plans to head up the Pacific Highway.
We've built a good relationship with council in both Port and Coffs Harbour and also Mid North Coast and North Coast Football.
- Shane Mattiske
"We've built a good relationship with council in both Port and Coffs Harbour and also Mid North Coast and North Coast Football," Mattiske said.
"We're working on a number of different things where we hope to be able to engage and have the Jets present in that community. Ideally we can create some opportunities for the people up there to come down and watch some Jets A-League Men or A-League Women matches."
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