![GAME-CHANGER: Newcastle Jets captain Nigel Boogaard. Picture: Jonathan Carroll GAME-CHANGER: Newcastle Jets captain Nigel Boogaard. Picture: Jonathan Carroll](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/AVQVfAtGgzehhK8J9F6uCU/1e3c581f-60a5-4fa6-874a-c60b81f732b0.jpg/r245_1106_4508_3062_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
JETS executive chairman Shane Mattiske has hailed the historic A-League double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday as a chance for the football community to "come together".
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The Jets meet Adelaide United at 6.40pm, which will be preceded by the battle between Wellington and Brisbane, kicking off at 4.05pm.
"The double-header is about doing something different in the market," Mattiske said. "Not just going through the motions of bringing week-to-week football, but actually creating an event.
"We have great support from Newcastle Council, Port Stephens Council and Fox Sports to make it work. It is a good example of the A-League getting behind some innovation.
"It is a chance for for us to demonstrate to the community that we are trying to do things and are delivering value to them.
"Sunday is really about the football community coming together. That is what we are trying to do.
"The message is that the football community here is starting to re-engage and stand up."
Junior players can register for free admission if accompanied by an adult and despite the recent wet weather, Mattiske is hopeful of attracting "new fans".
"It's an event," Mattiske said. "COVID is starting to drift away and it would be great if people get out of the house and come and enjoy two quality games of footy. "
In a sign of the improved relationship between the Jets and Northern NSW Football, the National Premier League and Herald Women's Premier League seasons will be officially launched at the double-header.
It is a part of a concerted effort by the Jets to increase their appeal.
"If we can build a much stronger connection with the NPL clubs and the football community in this region, I would think we would see a 25 per cent growth in crowd numbers straight up," Mattiske said.
"We have to be part of the community, we have to get trust back.
"Ultimately, we are a community club. We are not a flashy, corporate, elitist club. We are here to represent this region. Football has a great history here. If we can get all that right, then the club has s great future."
Jets captain Nigel Boogaard has been involved in the A-League since it's inception in 2005 and believes initiatives like the double-header are crucial if the sport is going to challenge the other major codes.
"I think it's important for the game in the next couple of years to really push forward and show the talent existing and new," he said.
"It is a great initiative by the club and the town to host the first double header in over a decade.
"Any time, there is a special football event, whether it is a Matildas game or something like this, the crowd has turned out in numbers and proven we are a strong football town with great history.
"It's about showing that on Sunday and it is something we need to keep doing into the future and knock on the door of the other codes and push for marketing and commercial revenue.
"We need to put our best foot forward to make sure the next broadcast deal is where it should be, and relevant and making sure the game can progress."
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