City goes back to back with women Jets

The City of Newcastle has become a major sponsor of the Newcastle Jets W-League team for the second consecutive year, celebrating the partnership at the team's season launch tonight.

The $20,000 sponsorship of the local W-League team, which narrowly missed out on making the premiership decider last year, will see the squad one again promoting the city throughout the 2018-19 season.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna

The deal, approved under an annual application process, will once again see the iconic "Newcastle - See Change" tourism logo on the back of players' jerseys and the team act as ambassadors for the city.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she was thrilled that the City would again partner with the Jets after they were instrumental in showcasing our City last season.

"The performance of the women's team during last year's competition was amazing," the Lord Mayor said.

"On the back of this, they are brilliant ambassadors for Newcastle through the work the players and coaches are doing off the field. As well as promoting the city around the country, they're helping to activate the inner city through matches at No.2 Sportsground and making for double celebrations at McDonald Jones Stadium when they play ahead of the men's A-League team.

"Their successes are also helping cultivate home-grown talent, with youngsters also finding inspiration in guest appearances by Matildas representative Emily van Egmond."

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Jets players Hannah Brewer and Emily van Egmond

The Jets W-league team will play four home matches at No.2 Sportsground, with two double-header matches before the Jets A-League team at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The W-League team will kick off their 2018-19 season against Melbourne Victory away this Thursday.

Westfield W-League Coach Craig Deans said the partnership with City of Newcastle proved invaluable in the 2017-18 season.

“To have City of Newcastle back on board is really important for us,” Deans said.

“Their overall support and the access they’ve provided to No.2 Sportsground has given us a training base we can call our own.

“It's had a massive impact, we love playing and training there - I can’t thank them enough for their support.”

Since announcing the inaugural partnership deal with the Jets last year, the City has welcomed a number of major football announcements including the Matildas' 2019 World Cup qualifier against Chile at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday 13 November.

"Newcastle is beginning to boast a very strong track record for supporting elite women's sport," Cr Nelmes added.

"First we welcomed the Matildas, who hosted football giants Brazil on Newcastle soil, then we had the Australian women's netball team play against England last month, and of course we have been selected as Australia's bid for the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup.

"We are a healthy, active and vibrant city undergoing major revitalisation and our continuing sponsorship with clubs like the Jets will open new doors for Newcastle as a major tourism destination."