A PROUD Biripi man, Jade North was born in Taree and played his first game of football at Ruprecht Park with the now defunct Rangers club.
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He passes all the criteria to be admitted into the Greater Taree City Sporting Hall of Fame. However North isn’t freely mentioned among our sporting superstars, probably because he left here as a young boy at the start of a footballing journey that saw him play for the Socceroos. He has had stints with a number of clubs in Australia as well as in Norway and Japan. He’s now a key member of A-League premiers Brisbane Roar’s roster.
North was back home on Thursday in his role with the Asian Cup Indigenous engagement program. He spoke to students at Taree Public School and Nabiac Public. His early education was at Taree West.
Brisbane has made a woeful start to their title defence and are 0/4 to be sitting on the bottom of the table.
“We’ve had a few changes from last year,’’ North explained.
“But that’s no excuse, we’re a good enough team to get over that. We’ve been playing well but we just haven’t been defending well. We’ve been creating chances but not capitalising.
“I’ve been at the club for nearly two years now. Every A-League team has a bit of a slump and it’s just what you do to try and get yourself out of it that counts.
“It’s still early in the season so we can turn things around, starting with Newcastle tomorrow night (Friday).’’
North believes Adelaide are the form team at the moment.
“They’re looking the goods,’’ he agreed.
“But some teams compete early on and sometimes teams can have a lot of confidence and keep going. It will be interesting to see how Adelaide and these teams at the top of the comp continue.
“With teams like Perth you also have to factor in the travel.’’
North’s out of contract with the Roar after next season. However, he has no immediate plans to retire.
“I hope to get my last contract after that,’’ he said.
His preference is to stay with the Roar.
“I’d love to stay in Brisbane, but we’ll just have to wait and see.’’
North, 32, is already contemplating life post football.
“There are a few different options,’’ he said.
“I have to focus on what I have to do now and slowly work towards what I want after. But my sole focus is still playing good football at the moment.”
Coaching, at least at A-League level, isn’t on the radar.
“I’d love to be involved with the young kids in some capacity. But I think it would be too stressful to be an A-League coach,’’ he smiled.
North is looking forward to the Asia Cup to be played in Australia next year.
“I was a part of the Socceroos for over 10 years and although I haven’t been part of it lately, it will still be good to cheer the boys on,’’ he said.
“To have a tournament like this in your own country is pretty special and hopefully we can win it. Anything is possible.’’
North nominated Japan, Korea and Iran as the main dangers.
“These teams can really do some damage,’’ he said.
“But hopefully Australia will be in the last two. It would be great for the game here.’’
