Jake Pettigrew becomes first Mackay footballer to make national program

An hour and a half drive from Cannonvale to Mackay four times a week, would likely be enough to turn a lot of people away from pursuing their dream. But this teen’s dedication is unwavering and he has been rewarded for it.

Hard work and dedication is the key to Magpies Crusaders United junior Jake Pettigrew’s rise from regional to national recognition according to his coaches.

Young Pettigrew was among 28 under-16 footballers nationwide selected for Football Australia’s under-16 National Talent ID squad, in a first for the Mackay and Whitsunday region.

Jake Pettigrew has been selected for National Talent ID in a Mackay first. Picture: Magpies Crusaders United

The group gathered recently in Townsville for a camp with a number of national coaches including former Socceroos Mark Milligan and Luke Wilkshire.

“It was a really good experience … kids from all across the country from A-League academies, coming up to Townsville,” Pettigrew said.

“It was tough because obviously the other players have all played against each other a lot but in the local comp here I play against men all the time.”

“Physically it isn’t really different, it’s more just the speed of play and technically.”

Pettigrew has career goals of playing professionally, making a living out of football and playing in the A-League.

He believes the coaching at Magpies Crusaders is at a high level, but admits it is not just coaching that’s sparked his footballing ascension.

“Anthony Alexander the technical director, I rate really highly and he picked me up in 2020 and since then he’s been huge for my development,” Pettigrew said.

“But also, it’s just the extra training by myself at home working on my own skills which has helped me a lot as well.”

Jake Pettigrew was named the Magpies runner up junior male athlete of the year in 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Magpies Crusaders technical director Anthony Alexander explained Pettigrew’s commitment to his footballing development.

“Jake’s one we picked up and identified at age 13 and he was previously with Whitsunday United juniors,” Alexander said.

“Being at Airlie, he’s driving down at least three times a week for training which is an hour to an hour and a half depending on roadworks and then he comes down every Saturday for the match.”

Alexander described him as calm and collected in front of goal, a rare trait in young strikers.

“He doesn’t just blast away and usually finishes more chances than he misses,” he said.

“But, it’s also his work rate. He is willing to do the dirty work and doesn’t just sit upfront trying to score.”

Pettigrew’s poise in front of goal is considered rare for a striker at his age. Picture: Magpies Crusaders United

The 28 boys in the National Talent program were evaluated over the recent Townsville camp and now could earn selection in the upcoming under-16 Asian Cup.

Regardless of whether Pettigrew is selected, it will no doubt put him on the radar of A-League and NPL clubs.

The Magpies Crusaders hope that it will open the minds of the national scouts to the talent in Mackay.

Pettigrew has also recently been training with the under-18s and under-23s squads and will become eligible for FQPL senior selection in June.

Originally published as Jake Pettigrew becomes first Mackay footballer to make national program