Coach Craig Deans today announced a group of ten players that will form the bulk of his squad for the forthcoming season.

The team’s first fixture in this exciting venture for elite youth players will see the Newcastle Jets Youth Team take on Adelaide United Youth Team on Saturday, 27 September 2008, at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Jets’ senior team played their first Hyundai A-League game also against Adelaide on Friday, 26 August 2005.

The first home game for the Newcastle Jets Youth Team will be held on Saturday, 18 October, against Melbourne Victory Youth Team as a curtain raiser for the game between the senior squads at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Deans will look to add two more players to round out his roster in the near future, but is excited about the group that he has put together thus far.

“These boys will be an important part of our team throughout the season. It is an exciting time for youth development and it will be interesting to watch the team develop over time,” he said.

“The National Youth League gives young players, particularly locals, the opportunity to develop and mature into full-time athletes. Most importantly, it creates a career pathway for young footballers in Australia.”

Newcastle Jets youth squad currently contains the following 10 players:

Ben McNamara, Goalkeeper, Lake Macquarie

Jon Griffiths, Defender, Lake Macquarie

Joel Witherdin, Defender, South Cardiff

Simon Mooney, Defender, Broadmeadow

Jarrad Ross, Defender, Lake Macquarie

Taylor Regan, Defender/Midfielder, Highfields

Matt Harper, Midfielder, AIS

Jesse Pinto, Midfielder, Blacktown City

Adrian Karakolevski, Midfielder, Macarthur

Marko Jesic, Striker, AIS