Newcastle Jets confirmed Brydens Lawyers as major partner

The Newcastle Jets have confirmed Brydens Lawyers as their 2024/25 Major Partner and Official Legal Partner.

Brydens Lawyers will be showcased on the front of the Jets’ Men’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys, as well as on the back of the Women’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys during the club’s 20th anniversary season in the A-League.

A top law firm in NSW known for offering Free* Legal Advice in the communities they serve, Brydens Lawyers, have been long-time supporters of local sports in the Newcastle and Hunter region for many years.

Newcastle Jets fans and members got their first glimpse of the 2024/25 season playing kits two weeks ago, as the club revealed the Men’s and Women’s Home and Away uniforms.

Principal of Brydens Lawyers Lee Hagipantelis said via press release.

“Brydens Lawyers is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Newcastle Jets as the Major Partner, affirming its commitment to supporting sport and the community in the Newcastle and Hunter region,” he said.

“The Newcastle Jets are a cornerstone of the local sporting landscape, and this sponsorship is a natural extension of Brydens Lawyers’ mission to give back to the community and encourage engagement in sport at all levels.

“We believe that investing in local sports not only promotes healthy lifestyles but also fosters a sense of unity and pride within the community. We are excited to be part of the Newcastle Jets’ journey and to contribute to their success.

“The sponsorship will provide the Newcastle Jets with essential resources to enhance their pathway and elite programs, and the supporters of the Jets, together with the broader community, will continue to avail themselves of the expert legal advice and representation that Brydens Lawyers has provided for over 50 years.”

Newcastle Jets CEO, Shane Mattiske, said via press release.

“The Club is very excited to have the support of such a preeminent Australian business and importantly an organisation that makes a significant contribution to this region here in Newcastle,” he said.

“We appreciate Lee’s and Brydens Lawyers’ support of both our Men’s and Women’s A-League teams as we enter an exciting new era at the club.

“We call on all Novocastrians to get behind the Jets with our Men’s opening game at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 October against Melbourne City and our Women’s home opener on November 3 at No. 2 Sportsground against the Wanderers.”

The Jets plan to unveil their 2024/25 alternate kit at a future date.

Brydens Lawyers will offer several Free Legal Advice Consultations at local Wests Club throughout the year.

For more information about the law firm, click here.

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Football Has the Audience. Does It Have the Commercial Strategy?

Soccerscene has launched Survey 4: Commercial Confidence in Football, calling on clubs, sponsors, governing bodies, commercial leaders and football industry professionals to assess whether the game is making the most of its enormous commercial potential.

Football has the audience, participation base and community reach to be one of Australia’s most powerful commercial platforms. But does the industry have the commercial strategy, professionalism and infrastructure required to turn that potential into sustainable growth?

That is the question at the centre of Soccerscene’s latest industry research.

The survey examines how attractive grassroots football is to potential commercial partners, what industry professionals believe is limiting football’s commercial potential, and whether clubs are presenting themselves professionally enough to sponsors.

It also explores what sponsors value most when engaging with football – from community reach and participation scale to brand alignment, values and purpose – as well as whether improved facilities could directly contribute to stronger sponsorship outcomes.

Is football fully capitalising on its commercial opportunity?

Football continues to provide brands with access to highly engaged communities across grassroots, community and elite environments. Yet the commercial landscape remains fragmented, with clubs operating with vastly different levels of resources, capability, governance, media infrastructure and commercial expertise.

Soccerscene’s survey is designed to capture the industry’s perspective on where the opportunities exist – and where football may be leaving commercial value on the table.

The research will look specifically at four key areas:

  • Commercial attractiveness – How attractive is grassroots football as a commercial partnership?
  • Commercial barriers – What is holding football back from reaching its full commercial potential?
  • Club professionalism – Are clubs presenting themselves effectively and professionally to sponsors?
  • Sponsor value – What are sponsors really looking for when they invest in football?

The survey also asks whether better facilities would have a direct impact on sponsorship outcomes, highlighting the potential relationship between infrastructure, commercial presentation and investment.

Have your say

Soccerscene is encouraging football clubs, sponsors, commercial professionals, governing bodies, administrators, media professionals and industry stakeholders to participate.

The findings will contribute to Soccerscene’s ongoing program of industry research, designed to provide a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing football and the organisations operating within it.

Take the Survey: Commercial Confidence in Football

Complete the Commercial Confidence in Football Survey here

The survey will close on 30 August 2026 at midnight, with responses received before the deadline included in the final analysis.

Football has the audience. The question is whether it has the commercial strategy to match.

Football Queensland’s Logan hub plan rejected by council

Football Queensland’s plans for a major new football hub at Meakin Park have been rejected by Logan City Council. The proposed $76.1 million redevelopment aimed to create a state home for football in Queensland.

Council unanimously rejected Football Queensland’s request for longer-term leases and additional land at the Slacks Creek site. The decision leaves the organisation’s current leases in place. The proposed development would have delivered new playing fields, elite training facilities and a dedicated home for Football Queensland.

Three-stage development

The first stage of Queensland Football’s development carried an $8.5 million price tag. It would upgrade fields, lighting, drainage and irrigation across Meakin and Mappas parks. The goal was to create a six-field, international-standard training venue.

The second stage represented the largest investment. Football Queensland planned to spend $55.3 million on a new headquarters at the adjoining Queens Park site. The facility would include a Women and Girls Academy, sports science facilities, sports medicine and strength and conditioning services.

A third $12.3 million stage would add an indoor futsal academy and two synthetic fields. Football Queensland said the project could create a major football precinct for the region. It also saw the facility playing a role in Queensland’s preparations for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Lease decision creates roadblock

Queensland’s governing body sought a 25-year lease with an option for another 25 years. Chief executive Robert Cavallucci said longer tenure was essential to secure government funding and move the project forward. The organisation has around three years remaining on its existing leases.

Council took a different view. Concerns included community access, funding certainty, future costs and the level of use at the existing facilities. Councillors also questioned whether a long-term arrangement would deliver enough benefit to Logan residents and grassroots clubs. Logan Council has now ordered a review of Football Queensland’s performance under its current lease.

Grassroots football at the centre

The decision highlights a wider issue for football infrastructure. Major facilities can provide elite pathways, sports science and high-performance opportunities, but unless councils can ensure local players and clubs can access the fields, they will be rejected.

Meakin Park already serves several sporting organisations, including football users and community sporting groups. Football Queensland said it had invested almost $2 million at Meakin Park and Mappas fields. It also argued the precinct operates at around 130 per cent capacity. For Queensland football, the challenge now is finding a model that can deliver high-performance facilities while expanding access for the community.

The proposal may have been rejected, but the need for better football infrastructure remains. With participation growing and Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games approaching, the debate over where and how Queensland builds its next generation of football facilities is unlikely to disappear.

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