Jax’s UK Football Journey: Hearts, Newcastle United & Hampden Park

Jax’s incredible 14-day UK football development tour has continued with another action-packed few days, taking the young Australian players through Scotland and Newcastle and giving them even more opportunities to experience football at a completely different level.

After his earlier experiences at West Ham United and in Manchester, this next stage of the journey included training connected with Heart of Midlothian FC (Hearts), a visit to Newcastle United, a tour of the famous St James’ Park and a night of international football at Hampden Park.

For a young footballer from the Gold Coast, it has been another remarkable chapter in an already unforgettable trip.

Training with Hearts legend Gary Mackay

One of the highlights of the Scotland leg was the opportunity for the touring players to take part in a high-level training session with Gary Mackay, a genuine Hearts legend.

Mackay is Hearts’ all-time appearance holder, having played an extraordinary 640 games for the club. Hearts FC

For Jax and the other young Australian players, the chance to learn from someone with that depth of experience was another example of what makes this development tour about much more than simply playing matches.

Every new coach brings different ideas, different training methods and another opportunity for these young players to learn.

Jax bottom row second from right and his fellow Australian players together during another training session on their UK football development tour.

An unforgettable visit to Newcastle United

The journey then continued south to Newcastle, where Jax and the touring group experienced one of English football’s famous grounds — St James’ Park, home of Newcastle United.

Newcastle United has called St James’ Park home since 1892, and the club's official stadium tour takes visitors behind the scenes while exploring the history and heritage of the ground. Newcastle United

For Jax, it also provided one of the best photographs of his trip so far — standing high above the pitch with NEWCASTLE UNITED clearly visible across the stand behind him.

Jax overlooking the pitch at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park during another memorable stop on his UK football development tour.

The players also participated in coaching sessions and an E-Sports experience through the Newcastle United Foundation, giving them another look at how football development can extend beyond the training pitch.

A little piece of FA Cup history

While exploring St James’ Park, Jax also had the opportunity to see some of the football memorabilia on display.

And naturally there was time for another photograph.

Jax alongside an FA Cup display during the group’s visit to Newcastle United’s St James’ Park.

For a young Australian player who normally experiences English football from thousands of kilometres away, being inside these stadiums and seeing their history up close is something very different from watching them on television.

Scotland vs Switzerland at Hampden Park

Then came another experience altogether.

The touring group travelled to Hampden Park in Glasgow to watch Scotland take on Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League.

The match was played on 29 September 2026, with Switzerland eventually defeating Scotland 3–0. Scottish FA

For Jax and the other young Australians, though, the result was only one part of the experience.

They were getting to experience the atmosphere surrounding international football at Scotland’s national stadium.

And Jax certainly looked the part.

Jax outside Hampden Park in Glasgow before watching Scotland take on Switzerland — another unforgettable experience on his UK football development tour.

Wearing his Scotland scarf outside Hampden, Jax was ready for another night of football and another experience to add to an increasingly impressive collection of memories from the tour.

More than just a football tour

As we’ve followed Jax’s UK Football Journey, one thing has become increasingly clear.

This trip is about much more than kicking a football.

Jax has experienced different cities, stadiums and training environments. He has worked with different coaches, met people who have spent decades developing young footballers and shared the entire experience with a large group of young Australian players.

From being selected as captain on Day 1 at West Ham United, to meeting former Liverpool youth coach Hugh McAuley in Trafford, training during the Hearts leg of the tour, visiting Newcastle United and then experiencing international football at Hampden Park — every stage has brought something different.

From the Gold Coast to the UK

Back home, Jax is one of thousands of Australian kids who simply love playing soccer.

That's one reason we enjoy sharing his journey here at Alpha Skins.

As an Australian-owned, Gold Coast-based brand creating washable, slip-on shin guards for junior soccer players, grassroots and junior football are very much part of our story.

But Jax's journey also gives us an opportunity to share something beyond shin guards — the friendships, opportunities, learning and experiences that junior football can bring.

There are still more adventures to come before Jax heads home to Australia.

We'll continue following Jax's UK Football Journey as his 14-day development tour continues.

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