Newcastle ready for an Olympic Year

It’s an Olympic year and the boys from Darling Street are gearing up for what is expected to be another big season of Northern NPL football.

2019 was not the greatest for Olympic, finishing 4 wins out of the playoffs in 7th. But the Hamilton based club is determined to turn their fortunes around in 2020 with some monumental changes taking place in the off-season.

The biggest change in recent history took place at the end of the 2019 season with the club reverting back to its original name “Newcastle Olympic”. The blue and whites have been known as Hamilton since 1992 and any change was going to be tough for some, but as the clubs Vice President Jim Pappas explains, it’s about moving with the times. “We’ve been known as Hamilton for a while, so it’s gonna be a bit of a change for some people who have just known us as Hamilton since being in the first division, but with it being a national game now, with the national finals series, NPL and FFA Cup we thought it’s time to go back to our original name of Newcastle Olympic, so people really know where we are from” Pappas said.

Another a major change for 2020 will be the introduction of a Women’s Premier League team. Newcastle Olympic has taken over the license from Wallsend FC with many of the players from last year’s squad coming across to wear the blue of Olympic. The club has been busy in the player market with the signing Jenna Kingsley from the Newcastle Jets and Gemma House, who spent four seasons in the American College system. Olympic also have a couple more signings to come for the women’s team, so watch this space.

For the NPL side it’s about improving on last season and pushing for a top 4 finish. Coach Peter McGuinness has added some strength and experience to his roster with former Olympic players Dino Fajkovic and Blake Green returning plus the inclusion Scottish import Anthony Marenghi in the midfield and Kane Runge from Dandenong Thunder.

Newcastle Olympic NPL side will kick off their 2020 campaign away to Charlestown Azzurri at Lisle Carr Oval, Saturday March 21, 2:30pm Kick off. Whilst the Women’s team will get underway a fortnight earlier when they take on Mid North Coast at Taree on Sunday March 8, 3pm.

Just a reminder you can watch every Northern NPL game in 2020 along with a Women’s Premier League match of the round most weeks right here at Bar TV Sports.