Jets CEO Quits
CHIEF executive Tain Drinkwater has parted ways with the Newcastle Jets less than 15 months into the job.
Drinkwater resigned earlier this month and has been on leave for the past 10 days.
There have been rumblings for the past week regarding Drinkwater’s future.
In a statement on Friday, Jets owners Maverick Sports Partners said Drinkwater would undergo a “agreed transition period”.
“Tain has made a significant contribution during an important period in the club’s development, including helping position the club for the opportunities ahead in the 2026/27 season,” the statement said.
“The ownership group thanks Tain for her contribution and wishes her every success in her future endeavours.
“The club has commenced transition arrangements to ensure continuity across all football and business operations and will provide further updates regarding its executive leadership structure in due course.”
Coach Mark Milligan and general manager of football Nigel Boogaard are in control of retention and recruitment of players.
The Jets have 10 senior players and three scholarship players on the roster.
The Herald understands that deals with Oscar Fryer and former Melbourne City midfielder Zane Schreider are close to being finalised.
After an historic A-League campaign, the Jets look set for wholesale changes next season.
Mark Natta, Clayton Taylor, Lachie Bayliss, Lachie Rose, Ben Gibson and Kota Mizunuma head the list of outgoing players.
Eli Adams has another year on is contract but has attracted interest from overseas clubs.
Greek striker Nikos Vergos, who scored seven goals for Melbourne Victory in each of the last two seasons, is the biggest addition to the squad to date.
Home-grown young guns Alex Nunes, Oliver Cockle and Jordan Bayliss have been re-signed.
Drinkwater became the first female to take charge of the A-League when appointed last May.
The Jets have competed arguably their best season in history – highlighted by winning two trophies.
In October, the club collected the Australia Cup. the club’s first silverware since the 2008 championship.
Mark Milligan’s young outfit then took the league by storm, securing the Premiers’ Plate for the first time in history and securing a place in the Asian Champions League Elite.
Off the field, Drinkwater introduced a number of initiatives and community programs.
Crowd figures at McDonald Jones Stadium nearly doubled to 10,287, with a 10-year high of 20,930 for the final regular season match.
There has also been a large spike in corporate support, increased membership and significant gains in other metrics.
Despite the increases, part-owner Maurice Bisetto revealed last month that the club had lost $3.5 million for the season.
The Australian Taxation Office issued a wind-up notice to the Jets in March over an outstanding debt.
The outstanding amount was paid the following day.
Drinkwater had previously been the CEO of Netball NSW, overseeing Super Netball clubs Sydney Swifts and Giants, headed up the Brisbane Broncos NRLW program and held an executive position in pathways with the NRL.