George Tsamouras Football Journey

Newcastle Jets Academy are on fire after winning all three of their three semi-finals at Christie Park, North Sydney today! Premiers U16s and U13s Newcastle Jets overcame their obstacles against Rydalmere Lions FC and South Coast Flame FC as well as 2^nd placed u15s over NWS Spirit FC.

U13s Newcastle Jets began the “trifecta” with an easy 3-1 win over South Coast Flame team. U15s Newcastle Jets then added to this with an emphatic 4-1 win over NWS Spirit who had a home game advantage!

Premiership winning U16s Newcastle Jets weren’t as lucky, meeting a Rydalmere team which played a very compact game designed not to concede and trying to threaten through counter-attacking football. The first 15-20 minutes were even with both teams standing toe to toe but after this, the Jets took control of possession but were unable to create many clear goal scoring opportunities. At the same time, the Newcastle goalkeeper didn’t have to make a single save. The atmosphere at Christie Park was great but was made even more electric by the U16s Hills United team who are playing their semi-final on Sunday and who were at the game cheering on Rydalmere and whistling at every offensive move by the Jets!

The second half was an even affair with neither team dominating the other and with goalkeepers not being called upon to make any saves. In extra time it was all Newcastle Jets but despite extending the Rydalmere goalkeeper on occasions, they were unable to resolve the stalemate.

The game was decided on penalties with the Newcastle goalkeeper saving the first penalty and all the remaining Jets players scoring their dot shots! The final score was 5-3.

This was a great semi-final by two teams that gave everything they had. The Newcastle Jets deserve to be congratulated for winning the Premiership and now booking their place in the Grand-Final but equally, Rydalmere deserve a pat on the back for planning and executing a very good tactical game.

Extended video highlights of the semi-final will be available AFTER the Grand-Final next week.

FNSW Boy’s Youth League Two semi-final results:

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Premiers Newcastle Jets are set to face Rydalmere Lions in the semi-final of the FNSW Boy’s Youth League Two competition at Christie Park, North Sydney on Saturday afternoon. The Jets finished in 1^st place with 22 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses from 30 games while Rydalmere won 17, drew 4 and lost 9.

Defensively there is not much difference between the two teams, but the Jets have the advantage in attack. During the two fixtures during the season, the Jets won 3-0 in Sydney while Rydalmere defeated the Jets 1-0 in Newcastle. Rydalmere play a compressed style and the game promises to be a tight affair.

The other semi-final between Hills United and Nepean will be held at Penhurst Park on Sunday. The winning teams will meet each other in the Grand-Final the following weekend.

U15s Newcastle Jets who finished 2^nd will face NWS Spirit FC who finished 3^rd at the same venue in the match preceding the u16s semi-final. The Jets won 20 games, drew 5 and lost 5 in 30 matches while NWS Spirit won 15, drew 8 and lost 7. Defensively both teams are similar, but the Jets have an advantage in attack. One advantage held by NWS Spirit is they will be playing in their home ground!

U13s Premiers Newcastle Jets will face South Coast Flame FC earlier in the day at the same venue! The Jets won 23 matches, drew 2 and lost 5 while South Coast won 19, drew 3 and lost 8. The Jets appear very strong in attack compared to their Wollongong rivals and are favourites to win the game.

Semi-final fixtures:

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets ended a great 2022 season with the bitter taste of defeat in their last game on home soil against Hills United. Having secured the 2022 FNSW Boy’s Youth League Two Premiership a week earlier and having learned their opponent in the semi-final play offs a day earlier, the match against Hills United appeared to be the last thing on the mind of some players!

Hills United on the other hand started the game with the mindset that it was a Grand Final and found themselves 4-0 up withing 30 minutes, a score line most people would not have imagined even in their dreams!

In the second half the game was even as a contest but the Jets were unable to rectify the damage from their first half. Despite this, recording 22 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses in 30 matches is not a bad result and winning the Premiership is a great achievement.

U16s Newcastle Jets opponents in the semi-final play offs are Rydalmere Lions. The Jets defeated Rydalmere 3-0 in the opening game of the season in Sydney and the Lions did the same in the return game at Speers Point with a 1-0 score line.

U18s Newcastle Jets finished the season in 7^th spot after having been in the top two positions for most of the season. Due to an unavailability of match officials, they were unable to play their last game of their season!

U15s Newcastle Jets finished the season in 2^nd place and with a 5-1 triumph over Hills United in front of many smiling faces. Their opponents in the semi-final play-off series will be Hills United or North West Sydney FA.

U14s Newcastle Jets finished the season in 6^th place and with a good 2-1 win over Hills United.

U13s Newcastle Jets finished as 2022 U13s FNSW Boy’s Youth League Two Premiers and ended the season with a 5-0 thrashing of Hills United. Their opponent in the semi-final play offs will be South Coast Flame from Wollongong.

In the Club Championships the Newcastle Jets Academy finished 2^nd on 230 points and together with Hills United will be playing in FNSW Boy’s Youth League One for season 2023.

Round 30: Newcastle Jets vs Hills United on Sunday 11^th September at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s No game played

U16s Jets lost 4-0

U15s Jets won 5-1

U14s Jets won 2-1

U13s Jets won 5-0

U16s Round 28 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

U15s Newcastle Jets defeated Nepean FC 2-0 in a deferred washed-out fixture this evening at Penrith which secures the promotion of the Newcastle Jets Academy to FNSW Boy’s Youth League One next season!

Promotion is determined by the accumulation of all points gained by u14s, U15s, U16s, and U18s Boy’s Youth teams during a season and this falls under the banner of Club Championship. The teams in the first two positions in the Club Championship are promoted to FNSW Boy’s Youth League One.

With 4 matches remaining for all teams, Hills United lead the Club Championship on 233 points, Newcastle Jets are on 224 and St George City FA on 211 points. After tonight’s result in Penrith, even if St George win all four of their games on the last round of the season and Newcastle Jets lose all four, the most points they can gain are 223!

Hills United and Newcastle Jets are therefore the two clubs that will be promoted into FNSW Boy’s Youth League One for the 2023 season! Congratulations to the players, parents, coaching staff and administrators of both clubs and good luck in 2023.

Source: Tom Tsamouras

After securing the U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League 2 Premiership last week, the Newcastle Jets take on second placed Hills United in a game of no significance at Speers Point on Sunday. The two teams have been going neck and neck all season until Hills lost to Rydalmere 1-0 last week, giving the Jets an opportunity to open up 4 point lead after defeating Hakoah 2-1. Hills United are equal second with Nepean who play bottom placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles. The 4^th placed team, Rydalmere will secure 4^th spot with a win against lowly placed St George. Given the semi-final format is 1st vs 4^th and 2^nd vs 3^rd, it looks like a Newcastle Jets vs Rydalmere and Hills United vs Nepean semi-final in a week’s time.

In u18s Newcastle Jets are in 7^th place with no possibility of making the semi-finals. Hills United have a mathematical possibility of making the semi-final but highly unlikely given that 4^th placed St George play 5^th placed Rydalmere. Both teams will therefore have nothing more to play for other than their pride.

U15s Newcastle Jets play Nepean in a deferred wash out game tonight in Penrith and a win against their 2^nd last placed opponent secures promotion of the Newcastle Jets Academy into FNSW Boy’s Youth League 1 next season. The Jets team will finish the season in 2^nd place regardless of the result tonight and on Sunday against Hills United. Their most likely opponents in the semi-final the following week are South Coast Flame and NWS Spirit FC.

U14s Newcastle Jets are in 6^th spot with no possibility of making the semi-finals. A win against first placed Hills United on Sunday will not improve the position of either team and this will be another game in which players will be playing for their pride.

U13s Newcastle Jets is the second Jets team to win the Premiership after defeating Nepean in Penrith 4-0 last night. The young Jets have scored an incredible 118 goals this season and go into the match against Hills without any reason to play for other than their pride. Their opponent in the semi-final the following week will be either South Coast Flame or Bankstown United.

In the Club Championship, Newcastle Jets have the opportunity to secure promotion into FNSW Boy’s Youth League 1 tonight if U15s defeat Nepean in Penrith. If this does not happen, the Academy requires 3 points from the four matches between their u14s to U18s sides vs Hills United on Sunday.

Round 30: Newcastle Jets vs Hills United on Sunday 11^th September at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8:30am

U16s Round 28 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets win the FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Premiership after defeating Hakoah Sydney City 2-1 in Sydney in conjunction with the 1-0 defeat of Hills United by Rydalmere Lions in the second last round of the 2022 season!

On a wet and windy afternoon the U16s Newcastle Jets players took on a Hakoah team that was fighting for a semi-final birth by winning 4^th place in a competition dominated by the Jets, Hills United and Nepean FC throughout the year! With Hills United only two points behind and having learnt that they were defeated 1-0 earlier in the afternoon by Rydalmere, the Jets players also knew that a win against Hakoah would give them the 2022 U16s Premiership of NSW!

With such prizes at stake for both teams and in arctic conditions at Moore Park in Central Sydney both teams began the match with intensity and aggression. The Jets dominated possession and drew first blood with a cross from the left which was brought down well and with a shot that left the Hakoah goalie with no chance. As soon as this occurred the flood gates heaven opened with bucketing rain adding to the arctic playing conditions.

Against the run of play and during a free kick from outside the box the Jets defense failed to clear a ball which ended up at the feet of a Hakoah player who buried it into the Newcastle goal for the score to be level 1-1. This was the first and only goal scoring opportunity by the opposition in the entire first half.

The Jets continued to dominate possession as the rain continued to bucket down! Just before half the Jets won a free kick outside the box and from the ensuing floating ball, a well placed header ended the half with the Newcastle team leading 2-1.

The second half was an arm wrestle between a team that needed to win to secure 4^th place on the ladder and a team that was too strong to allow their opponent back into the game! The final minutes were played out and once the referees whistle sounded the end of the match players and coaching staff were one mass of happy faces.

Regarding the Club Championship, wins by U14s, U15s, and U16s have resulted in the Jets requiring 1 point (1 draw) from their remaining 7 matches (3 against Nepean & 4 against Hills United) to secure 2^nd place and promotion to FNSW Boy’s League 1 for next season.

Round 29: Hakoah Sydney City vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 3^rd September at Moore Park Sydney.

U18s Jets lost 4-2

U16s Jets won 2-1

U15s Jets won 4-0

U14s Jets won 4-3

U13s Jets drew 1-1

U16s Round 28 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

Hakoah Sydney City: Xavier Caristo 19, Jonathan Harti 22, Mackenzie George Liversidge 27, Edward Lynch 28, William Poulos 30, Bailey Reid 31, Anthony Rozman 32, Luka Ruvinsky 33, Ethan Sharpley 34, Oliver Stanic 35, Valentino Robins 51 Subs: Henry Gifford 1, Tekiyah Raziel Chapman 20, Liam Henebery 23, Ethan Ignacy Hirst 24, Marcus Duong 46

Newcastle Jets: Angus Martin 35, Giles Harrison 36, Kynan Watkins 37, Caleb Reed 38, Pharrell Trainor 39, Reinhard Lloyd 40, Max Cooper 41, George Tsamouras 43, Cooper Vimpani 45, Jordan Gu 48, Ethan Lewis 50, Subs: Sam Esquilant 34, Zac Major 42, Kruze Davidson 44, Luca West 46, Seth Anderson 90                                                                                                                               

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets play the second last match of the season away to Hakoah Sydney City and are in the hunt for a win which will contribute to them winning the Premiership and the Newcastle Jets Academy gaining promotion to FNSW Boy’s Youth League 1! With two games remaining the u16s Newcastle Jets are 5 points ahead of Hills United who play Parramatta on Wednesday night and who meet Rydalmere Lions on Saturday. Both Hakoah and Rydalmere will be fighting for 4^th place on the ladder which will enable them to enter the semi-finals.

If the Jets win and Hills United defeat Parramatta and lose or draw against Rydalmere, the Jets win the 2022 U16s Premiership on Saturday. If both teams win, all will be decided on the last day at Speers Point where the Jets require a win or a draw to claim the title. If the Jets lose against Hakoah and Hills United defeat both Parramatta and Rydalmere, the Jets require a win at Speers Point on the final game to win the Premiership! 

In the first match at Speers Point the Jets overcame Hakoah by 3-1. In the past 5 matches, the Jets have won 4 and had 1 draw while Hakoah have won 2, lost 2 and had 1 draw.

U18s Newcastle Jets are in 4^th spot on the points table with a game against equal second last Hakoah on Saturday and Nepean on Monday. The Jets are stronger on paper and if they win both matches, they should reach 2^nd spot and be in the semi-finals.

U15s Newcastle Jets are comfortably in 2^nd place on the points table and should overcome 10^th placed Hakoah who have won only 1 game in their past five outings on Saturday and 2^nd last Nepean on Tuesday in Sydney.

U14s Newcastle Jets are 6^th on the points table and will not make the semi-finals regardless of the results in their final three games of the season. They meet a strong Hakoah team who is only 1 point behind them on the points table on Saturday but should not have any difficulty overcoming second last Nepean next Wednesday.

U13s Newcastle Jets are equal 1^st on the ladder with a game in hand! They will meet stiff resistance from Hakoah on Saturday who are only one point behind but should have no troubles over second last placed Nepean next Wednesday.

Regarding the Club Championship, Newcastle Jets are in second place on the table which leads to promotion to FNSW Boy’s Youth League 1. The u14s to u18s teams have a total of 11 games to play until the end of the season. For the Newcastle Jets Academy to secure 2^nd place and therefore promotion they need to record 5 wins in those 11 matches!

This should be achieved by mid-week during the games at Nepean in Sydney!

Round 29: Hakoah Sydney City vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 3^rd September at Moore Park Sydney.

U18s kick off at 6:30pm

U16s kick off at 4:45pm

U15s kick off at 3:10pm

U14s kick off at 1:35pm

U13s kick off at 12:00pm

U16s Round 28 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets defeated Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at The Forum, University No2 Oval, in Newcastle to complete a 7 match marathon in 14 days! The Jets have now played all four of their washed-out games, are 5 points clear on the ladder with two matches remining!

The match against Bonnyrigg was never in any doubt with the Sydney team creating no more than one clear cut chance all game. The Jets opened the score early from a well taken corner and a volley from the far post. After this goal, the Jets continued to dominate possession but the warm conditions and the fact they were playing their 7^th match in 14 days began to show. Despite this, they went into half time 1-0.

In the second half the Jets continued to dominate possession and create goal scoring opportunities. During a sustained attack, a foul was made on the edge of the box which resulted in a Bonnyrigg player to be shown the red card. From the ensuing free kick, the Jets scored and the 2-0 score line remained until the end.

This was not the most entertaining game but the players did enough to win and bring their 14 day football marathon to an end.

After this match they remain in 1^st place, 5 points ahead of Hills United who play their final wash-out game against Parramatta on Wednesday night. Unless both teams drop any points in their remaining games, the Jets against Hakoah next week and Hills against Parramatta and Rydalmere, the Premiership will be decided at Speers Point in the final round of the season when the two leading teams face each other.

Round 20: Newcastle Jets vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday 28^th August at The Forum University No2. Oval Newcastle.

U18s Jets won 3-2

U16s Jets won 2-0

U15s Jets drew 1-1

U14s Jets lost 1-0

U13s Jets won 7-2

U16s Round 28 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

Newcastle Jets: Angus Martin 35, Giles Harrison 36, Kynan Watkins 37, Caleb Reed 38, Reinhard Lloyd 40, Max Cooper 41, George Tsamouras 43, Cooper Vimpani 45, Jordan Gu 48, Ethan Lewis 50, Seth Anderson 90  Subs: Pharrell Trainor 39, Kruze Davidson 44, Noah Miller 55, Jake Goodwin 57, Jayden Borgia 82.       

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC: Preston Frank Gigliotti 25, Jake Jones 27, Stefan Kos 28, Daniel Landini 29, Taye Sahib 33, Nikola Skoric 34, Matia Stanisic 35, Sife Saeed 37, Jaaydan Avello 38, Dylan Dukleski 39, Malthe Brink 79, Subs: Oliver Przydacz 31, Alfie Williamson 36, Chris Karam 47, Danny Park 51          

Cards:54’ Taye Sahib (Red) 70’ Jake Jones (yellow)

Source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets recorded another casual victory over St George by 3-0 at The Forum, University Oval 2 on Saturday afternoon and are 3 games away from winning the U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League 2 Premiership. The Newcastle team were favourites to win this match and dominated the game throughout.

They led 2-0 at the break, added another goal early in the second half and had a plethora of chances to make the score line much higher throughout the match. This was the 6^th match in 13 days for the team but judging by the way they were playing, it didn’t give that impression!

On Sunday they play out the wash-out match from Round 20 against Bonnyrigg White Eagles at the same venue and at the same time to complete a 7 game football marathon in 14 days! Given that Bonnyrigg have only won 4 games all season and are placed last on the points table, the Newcastle Jets are favourites to win this match too!

The other great news about Round 28 is that the Jets teams secured 9 points for the Club Championship from a possible 12 and have already moved into 2^nd spot on the table despite playing 7 games less than 3^rd placed St George City FA. Any points gained on Sunday’s game against Bonnyrigg White Eagles will add to this tally and this in turn will lead to promotion in FNSW Boy’s Youth League 1 next season.

Round 28: Newcastle Jets vs St George on Saturday 27^th August at The Forum University No2. Oval Newcastle.

U18s Jets lost 1-0

U16s Jets won 3-0

U15s Jets won 1-0

U14s Jets won 1-0

U13s Jets won 4-3

Round 20: Newcastle Jets vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday 28^th August at The Forum University No2. Oval Newcastle.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8:30am

U16s Round 28 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

Newcastle Jets: Angus Martin 35, Giles Harrison 36, Kynan Watkins 37, Caleb Reed 38, Max Cooper 41, Zac Major 42, George Tsamouras 43, Cooper Vimpani 45, Luca West 46, Ethan Lewis 50, Seth Anderson 90 Subs: Pharrell Trainor 39, Reinhard Lloyd 40, Kruze Davidson 44, Noah Miller 55, Jordan Gu 48, Jayden Borgia 82.                                                                                                                                                       

St George FC: Alessio Cencigh 21, Kieran George 23, Nick Michales 25, Reece Mihas 26, Anasta Panteli 29, Dean Petranker 30, Anthony Vitale 32, Andres Mora 34, Jackson Damcevski 36, Alexander Kolovos 45, Cassius Flavell 95, Subs: Ashton Simpson 39, Sotiri Demetriou 41, Georgios Filippakis 42, Adrian Kafetzis 44, Deegan O’Brien-Kratiuk 49, Aidan Stonestreet 52, Jordan Panayi 96                                                         

Cards: Nil

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets complete their football marathon of seven matches in 14 days this weekend when they meet St George on Saturday and Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday at the Forum University No 2 Oval. The first match is Round 28 of the competition while the second, Round 20 which had been declared a wash out due to the weather.

The U16s Jets sit in first place of the competition, two points clear from their nearest opponent while St George occupy equal second last spot on the ladder while Bonnyrigg is last. Obviously the Jets are favourites to win both games but they might be without some players on Saturday who might be “playing up” as well as the physical fatigue from playing seven matches in 14 days!

Victory in both games is necessary for the Jets if they are to have a chance of taking out the U16s Premiership as well as contributing points towards the Club Championship that lead to promotion to FNSW Boy’s Youth League 1.

U18s Newcastle Jets will have a tough opponent on Saturday as St George sit in 6^th spot on the ladder, only 4 points behind the Jets and will be contesting for a place in the final 4. The Jets have had two consecutive losses while St George have recorded only one loss in the past five games. Sunday should be an easier task for the Jets team as Bonnyrigg are second last in the competition.

U15s Jets are comfortably in 2^nd spot on the ladder but will be tested by St George on Saturday who are in 11^th spot and Bonnyrigg who are in 7^th position. The only advantage for the Jets is that neither opponent has a chance of making the top 4 and will be playing only for their pride.

U14s Jets are in 8^th position after two consecutive wins and should have a competitive game against St George who are in 12^th spot. On Sunday the task will be much harder against Bonnyrigg who are in 5^th position on the ladder and will be looking for points to secure a top 4 finish.

U13s Jets are in 3^rd position with two games in hand but will need all the strength they can find on Saturday to quell the challenge from St George who are 4^th on the ladder and who will be playing for a possible top 4 finish. Sunday will be less intense as Bonnyrigg are third last on the ladder and will only be playing for their pride.

Another interesting weekend of football and many points at stake for all five Jets teams.

Round 28: Newcastle Jets vs St George on Saturday 27^th August at The Forum University No2. Oval Newcastle.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8:30am

Round 20: Newcastle Jets vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday 28^th August at The Forum University No2. Oval Newcastle.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8:30am

U16s Round 28 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras