FOOTBALL
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Wollongong will host its first ever regular season A-League clash when Sydney FC meet Newcastle Jets at WIN Stadium on January 3 next year.
In yet another boost for Illawarra football, the Sky Blues will bring their round 15-stoush with the Jets to the beachside venue when the pitch at Allianz Stadium gets re-laid.
The pair previously met at the venue last year in front of 6540 fans for a pre-season friendly match but will break new ground with the regular season fixture.
WIN Stadium has hosted Matildas, Young Socceroos and W-League fixtures, but never an official A-League match.
"This is a first for Sydney FC, a first for the Hyundai A-League and a first for Wollongong," Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata said.
"It's another ground-breaking initiative from Sydney FC and will benefit a region which is a football heartland and a key area for us in terms of support.
"With Allianz Stadium out of action and so many members living in Wollongong and south of our home ground, we believe WIN Stadium is the prime venue to host this match."
In addition to the Sky Blues' large supporter base south of Sydney, the club has a high number of Illawarra-born players in their squad.
Pedj Bojić, Matt Jurman, Corey Gameiro and Aaron Calver all have ties to the region and will now get the chance to play their first A-League club match in front of a home crowd.
Jurman said it was an magnificent opportunity for the local contingent.
"Being from there, I am really excited and I am sure the fans will come out in their numbers," he said.
"There is a few boys from the Gong, so it will be good to be able to play a game at WIN Stadium."
The defender penned a new one-year deal with Sydney FC when new coach Graham Arnold came on board in May.
Arnold is perhaps one of the club's most influential signings in recent years and Jurman believes he has already had an impact.
"His main emphasis has been doing everything as a team, so those little things that perhaps didn't happen in the past, Arnie has made sure it is compulsory."
The Sky Blues will also play another friendly at WIN Stadium, with a match against Wellington Phoenix on September 19.
