Jake’s football journey is one of talent, determination, and rapid progression. Starting at just 3 years old, he has climbed through the youth ranks to break into the Northern Tigers’ Men’s Senior squad as an 18-year-old. Jake has proven himself a fearless, hardworking player ready to make his mark on every game. Here, he shares his journey, experiences, and ambitions for the season.
Where did your football journey begin?
I started my football journey at 3 years of age playing a few games for my older sister’s team at Berowra Football Club. I officially started playing when I was 4 years old. I played up an age group in the U6s team at Berowra Football Club.
Please talk us through your football career before joining the Northern Tigers including where and how you started playing NPL football (please include your ages for moving Clubs).
I started at Berowra Football Club and played 2 years in the U6s. I then moved to Hornsby Heights Football Club for 2 years where I played up an age group in U8s with some friends. After Hornsby Heights Football Club, I got selected to play for the Northern Tigers when I was 8 years old playing in the U10s. I had a couple of friends that went to Northern Tigers the previous year and I wanted to take my football to the next level.
What attracted you to join the Northern Tigers?
My friends and playing at a higher level.
When did you join the Northern Tigers and how many seasons have you played for the Northern Tigers?
I joined Northern Tigers in 2015, and I am now in my 11th season at the club.
You have broken into the Men’s First Grade team as an 18 year old over the past couple of years. What has this experience been like and how has the adjustment been to playing senior football?
It is challenging but a rewarding experience. Training and playing the First Grade team has improved me as a player and showed me how different senior football is to youth football with the speed being much faster.
What do you put this season’s success of the Men’s First Grade team to and what aspirations do the team have for the season?
Aspirations for the season is to win the league and get promoted.
What positions have you been playing this season?
I have been playing CDM this season.
The Men’s First Grade team have been on a great run in the league and the Australia Cup – to what do you put the success of the team for the season to date?
The teams’ culture and we took the Australian Cup seriously this year.
The Waratah Cup semi-final win away at APIA was a historic occasion for the club qualifying the Northern Tigers for our first Waratah Cup Final. What was the atmosphere like for that match?
I knew the match was going to be a tough one for the boys with APIA doing well in their NPL 1 competition, but I knew if we were on our game that day we could come away with a result. The game was tense with it being 0-0 half time, then coming out in the second half going 1-0 up early. The game’s intensity was rising with APIA getting 2 goals back. We came back to 2-2 and we all had a lot of hope and when Kye scored the winner everyone was cheering and celebrating.
What would completion of the Home of Football mean to the Northern Tigers Senior Men’s team?
Having a facility where we can play all our games, especially if we get promoted to NPL.
What characteristics are Northern Tigers teams known for amongst their opponents?
Always fighting till the last whistle.
What do you like about the Northern Tigers?
Northern Tigers have a good club culture and give young players opportunities