Council signs on as major sponsor of Jets W-League

Newcastle City Council has partnered with the Newcastle Jets W-League team in a landmark $20,000 major sponsorship deal.

The partnership will see the iconic "Newcastle - See Change" logo emblazoned on the back of players' jerseys and the team acting as ambassadors for the city throughout the W-League season.

Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes said Council was cementing the city's reputation for being a great supporter of sport in Newcastle.

"We're leading the way in supporting equality and this is a historic opportunity for us to support women's sport at all levels," she said.

"The 17,000 people who recently turned out to watch the match in Newcastle between the Matildas and Brazil are testament to the growing interest in women's football - in Australia generally and in the Hunter more specifically."

"Supporting our local W-League team is a natural progression and a positive step for women's sport."

Under the deal, the team will act as ambassadors for the city, helping promote Newcastle to a national audience of football fans.

Local star and Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond is on board as official spokesperson for the partnership.

"Van Egmond and her team mates will be promoting our city to Australia via television coverage of their games," Cr Nelmes said.

"The exposure for Newcastle will be enormous."

The sponsorship was announced at the Jets W-League season launch this afternoon at City Hall.

The team's draw includes five home games this season, where they will play in double-header fixtures at McDonald Jones Stadium directly before the men's A-League games.

Interim Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Bath said No.2 Sportsground would be the home base for the Jets W-League squad, with a match to be played there this season.

"Newcastle is increasingly being recognised as a great city for major events," he said. "This year alone we have hosted the Australian Rugby Union team, the Wallabies, the Matildas and Supermoto, and we are less than a month away from hosting the first ever Newcastle 500 Supercars weekend."

"We are a healthy, active and vibrant city undergoing major rejuvenation and revitalisation and this sponsorship will open new doors for Newcastle as a tourism destination."