Words: Matt Dorman
Image supplied by Palm Beach SC

This season’s Foxtel National Youth League will have a distinct PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland flavour with Roman Hofmann joining the influx at Newcastle Jets.

Hofmann, 20, began the season with now-champions Palm Beach Sharks but was picked up by Jets Youth for their NPL Northern NSW campaign, impressing enough to win an NYL contract at the club.

While the latest development has robbed the Sharks of Hofmann’s services, Palm Beach coach Grae Piddick sees it as praise for the league and Queensland’s elite player pathway.

“Roman re-signed with us a few weeks ago and was going to play in the PS4 NPL Finals Series and Westfield FFA Cup until the news came in,” Piddick said.

“He played in our friendly against Brisbane Roar and that night was told about the Jets contract.”

“It’s good for him of course and great to have another PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland player in the National Youth League.”

Hofmann spent the 2013 season playing against senior opposition with the Queensland Academy of Sport before his move south.

Piddick spoke positively of the player acquired by the Jets, who originally hails from the Gold Coast and previously played for community club Burleigh Heads, as well as representing Queensland in the Under 19 Schoolboys team.

“He’s a strong centre-back that’s very good on the ball,” Piddick said.

“Roman has worked very hard to get to where he is after effectively spending the entire season on an extended trial in Newcastle.”

Hofmann joins fellow PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland products Braedyn Crowley (Northern Fury), Adam Edgar (Sunshine Coast Fire) and Ryan Ensor (SWQ Thunder) at the Hunter club.

The new Foxtel National Youth League season is set to commence the weekend of 18-19 October and conclude in March 2015.