Newcastle Jets team up with new balance in three-year deal

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Image credit: Newcastle Jets website

Newcastle Jets have confirmed a multi-year partnership with New Balance to become the A-leagues club’s official apparel manufacturer.

The Jets are joining forces with the global sportswear leader on a three-year deal to supply all on-field playing kits, training gear, and off-field apparel for both the Isuzu UTE A-League and Ninja A-League teams, as well as the entire Newcastle Jets Academy.

It’s an exciting new chapter for the Jets as they head into the 2025-26 season with fresh coaching teams across both men’s and women’s squads. Former A-League star and retired Socceroo Mark Milligan takes charge of the Isuzu UTE A-League side, while Stephen Hoyle will lead the Ninja A-League team.

Newcastle Jets CEO, Tain Drinkwater, has welcomed New Balance on board, highlighting the exciting opportunities this partnership brings for the club and its community.

“Everyone at the Jets is incredibly excited to welcome New Balance in a joint venture with Belgravia Sports Apparel (BSA) into the Jets family,” he said via press release.

“Our organisations are both committed to ensuring our players, staff, members, and fans have world-class apparel. New Balance is renowned for partnering with world-class football Clubs and we are pleased to align with such an iconic sporting brand.

“The Newcastle Jets and New Balance share a combined goal of success on and off the field and we couldn’t be more thrilled to partner for the next three seasons.”

New Balance injects fresh energy into the club, with custom-designed kits and apparel set to be revealed ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. The partnership also launches a new leisurewear range, available to all members and supporters.

New Balance Australia regional general manager, Dean Howard, shared his excitement about joining forces with the Jets, emphasising the brand’s commitment to supporting athletes at every level.

“At New Balance, our job is to aid athletes in their pursuit of excellent, whether that means helping professional athletes win medals, or propelling the community to live a healthy and active lifestyle,” he said via press release.

“In partnership with Belgravia, we are proud to partner with the Jets and look forward to seeing the partnership come to life over the next three years.”

This collaboration marks a significant step forward for the Newcastle Jets, combining world-class apparel and fresh energy to support the club’s ambitions on and off the field.

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Football NSW announce price freeze for junior and youth players

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has announced a fee freeze for junior and youth community players in 2027, continuing its pledge to keep the game accessible for everyone across the state. 

In addition, senior players aged 19 and above will see their registration fee increase by just $1.50. Both junior and youth player fees will remain the same at $54.43, whilst senior members will pay $107.50.

The fee freeze highlights Football NSW’s commitment to keeping the game financially convenient for both players and families. 

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, said via Football NSW, “Football is the game of the people, and we recognise the importance of keeping participation accessible for families across our state. By freezing our registration fees for junior and youth players in 2027, we are continuing to support the next generation of footballers and help ensure that cost is not an unnecessary barrier to participation.”

The decision comes following similar price freezes at Football Queensland and Northern NSW Football in 2025. 

Despite the governing bodies acting separately, their unity on maintaining affordability throughout the game is a welcome sign. Managing to keep fees at an fair rate for families is a key component in sustaining grassroots football across the country.

“We have worked hard to manage the pressures facing the game, particularly around insurance, while ensuring Football NSW can continue to deliver the services and support our clubs, associations and participants expect,” said Tsatsimas. 

Despite the cost of living crisis, it is important that the game remains accessible for everyone. Football NSW have identified that even during tougher financial times, they can keep it that way. 

Through diligent financial handling, especially with care surrounding insurance and inflation (more of which can be read here), they are prioritising the game long-term over a short financial gain.

This fee freeze will directly impact the senior players and the families of younger members, too. The decision makes football not only more accessible, but provides more opportunities for players to strive for the highest levels of the game. 

Football Victoria demands more Victorian Government support amid grassroots boom

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Marlborough Street Reserve. Credit Football Victoria

Football Victoria is targeting Victorian Government funding for Glen Eira FC, in order to improve the club’s facilities and accommodate a recent surge in participation.

The interest and demand in football across Melbourne is ever growing, and Glen Eira FC is one such example.

Located in Melbourne’s inner south-east, the club has more than 1,100 players with nearly 95% of them aged 18 or under. In the suburb of Bentleigh alone, football participation has increased 18% alongside female engagement growing 76% in recent years.

However, at Marlborough Street Reserve, the conditions of the pitch – specifically during winter – can curb accessibility. Wet weather, non-stop usage and limited capacity make it difficult to accommodate all club members. This results in restricted training and playing opportunities.

Lachlan Cole, Football Victoria’s Head of Government Relations & Facilities, said via Football Victoria: “The story at Glen Eira FC is one we are seeing right across Victoria and specifically in Metropolitan Melbourne. Participation is growing, particularly among juniors, women and girls, but the infrastructure needed to support that growth is buckling under the weight of demand.”

To tackle this, both Football Victoria and Glen Eira FC want to convert the existing pitch to a synthetic surface and provide improved lighting for the ground. This would create a more reliable environment for players and support the growing demand for football in that community.

Speaking to Football Victoria, Glen Eira FC President Odilia Wijburg said, “A new sporting precinct with a synthetic pitch would be a game changer, providing year-round access, supporting participation growth and creating a lasting community asset that will benefit local families for generations.”

These issues are not exclusive to just Victoria, but are instead seen nation-wide. Football NSW recently pledged over AUD 200,000 to three amateur clubs to help upgrade their facilities and support the local communities.

Despite the increased interest in the game, the lack of reliable infrastructure, especially in grassroots football, leaves not only local areas without proper facilities, but creates a complicated road for young players hoping to navigate to the top of the game. 

Without the support of the Victorian Government, grassroots football could suffer an underwhelming fate. If the game is not supported from the bottom, the top might not reap the rewards of the next generation. And if that happens, alongside local communities, both the domestic leagues and the international team may suffer.

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