The Newcastle Jets are proud to welcome the University of Newcastle (UON) as an official club partner, thanks to their support of upcoming international youth tours.
The club has called UON home throughout its history – training at Ray Watt Oval for more than a decade thanks to an ongoing partnership with NUsport –but today’s announcement represents the most significant sponsorship agreement between the two parties to date.
Jets CEO, Lawrie McKinna said the landmark partnership further reinforced the strides the club had taken over the last two years.
“To have the University of Newcastle join us as an official partner is so important for our club moving forward,” McKinna said.
“An organisation of the University’s calibre, seeing what we’re doing across Newcastle and choosing to partner with us speaks volumes for the work that’s been done both on and off the pitch.
“Over the years we’ve had a number of players from our (Hyundai) A-League and (Westfield) W-League study at the University, and we’ve currently got two Youth League boys studying at the Callaghan Campus.
“They’re investing in the club’s youth, as we send some of the region’s best footballers onto the international stage and we can’t thank them enough.”
As part of their sponsorship agreement, the University will support the Newcastle Jets’ youth tours to the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens and the Weifang Cup in China.
UON will be the front-of-shirt sponsor for the club at both of these prestigious youth tournaments.
University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Advancement), Winnie Eley, said the University was proud to be officially partnering with the Jets, an organisation that also holds a strong connection to the Hunter community.
“Both the University of Newcastle and the Newcastle Jets are committed to fostering the next generation to globally minded young people,” Mrs Eley said.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the Jets’ Youth team by supporting their attendance at these high profile tournaments in Hong Kong and China.
“We look forward to this partnership with the Jets establishing even stronger ties at home and abroad, and wish the players the very best of luck as they prepare for the tours.”
The club and UON will continue discussions about how they can collaborate during the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League seasons.
The Newcastle Jets will compete in the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 May 2018.
The Weifang Cup will be held in Shandong Provence in August 2018, with the club to provide details on squad listing and fixtures once they are known.