Career
He played primarily as a midfielder, but could also play in defense. He has played for many clubs, both overseas and locally. He has also represented Australia both at youth and senior level
Van Blerk started his club career at Blacktown City Demons in Australia.
He made his first move to Europe when he signed for Sint Truiden in Belgium in 1990. He then made subsequent moves to Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands and Millwall in England.
He was then brought to Manchester City on a free transfer at the start of their 1997-1998 campaign by Frank Clark. However, he struggled there and only lasted seven months.
West Bromwich Albion then bought him for £250k in March 1998.
He ended up playing 109 games for them (scoring three goals). He left West Bromwich Albion in 2001. He left Australia again briefly to play for Runcorn F.C. Halton in England, before returning home again to play for APIA Leichhardt.
He then retired in 2006.
Jason played for the senior national team 33 times. He scored his first international goal against Croatia in 1992.
He made his national team debut against Indonesia after coming on for Tommy McCulloch in the 46th minute at the Senayan Stadium, Jakarta. He did not play any games between 1996 and 1999, mostly due to lack of game time at club level (while he was at Manchester City Football Club).
He got his last four caps (against Chile, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakian Republic and Paraguay) in 2000 after regaining form at West Bromwich Albion.
Van Blerk also represented Australia at youth level when played in the 1987 Fédération internationale de football association U-20 World Cup in Chile. He was also an Australian Schoolboy International player in 1986. In November 2008, Van Blerk was appointed the new coach of GHFA Spirit Football Club for the club"s first season in the NSW Super League in 2009.
In October 2013, Van Blerk was announced as the new head coach for National Premier League side Central Coast Mariners Academy under the guidance of technical director Philosophy Moss who also works as assistant coach for the Mariners A-League squad.
Jason van Blerk is the son of former Socceroo Cliff.
