Newcastle Permanent and Northern NSW Football preserve partnership for 16th year

Peter Haynes

Northern NSW Football and Newcastle Permanent have announced their prolonged partnership will continue, with the streak now at 16 years.

Being the official financial institution for Northern NSW Football, Newcastle Permanent will remain the major partner of local football, which has been a position they have maintained since 2008.

Newcastle Permanent is a customer-owned bank, that supports local communities through employee initiatives, community sponsorships and Charitable Foundation.

Newcastle Permanent is a privately held banking industry, specialising in Personal Banking, Business Solutions, Home Loans, Community and Financial Planning for over 100 years.

Northern NSW Football Interim CEO Peter Haynes said via press release:

“Many families have experienced difficulties over the last couple of years due to the pandemic and natural disasters, we understand that and we are committed to partnering with Newcastle Permanent to ensure that our game remains accessible and young players start the season with a ball at their feet.”

Newcastle Permanent’s Chief Distribution Officer Paul Juergens added via press release:

“This partnership helps local families lead healthy, happy and active lives, provides valuable equipment and signage to Northern NSW Football community clubs, and helps stabilise player registration fees for families, since 2008, Newcastle Permanent has provided more than 120,000 free footballs to entry-level players, with a further 10,000 balls being distributed this season.”

The collaboration assists local families by leading healthy, happy and agile lives, providing valuable resources and directions to Northern NSW Football local football clubs, as well as maintaining the stability for the player’s registration fees for families.

The banking institution will also have naming rights to the senior grand finals across seven different district member zones, Northern NSW Football Primary School Gala days and also the Northern NSW Football Junior Development League as part of the collaboration.

Newcastle Permanent will be a familiar name for locals, as they hold naming rights to senior grand finals across Northern NSW Football’s seven Member Zones, NNSWF’s Primary School Gala days and NNSWF’s Junior Development League.

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FQ Reinstates WinterFest 2026 at the Sunshine Coast

Football Queensland (FQ) has confirmed WinterFest, the state’s premier junior football carnival, will return to the Sunshine Coast from 1 to 5 July 2026; this time at a new home in the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

Delivered in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast, the five-day carnival will span USC and Sunshine Coast Wanderers FC, hosting Under 9 to Under 11 Boys and Under 11 Girls teams from every corner of the state.

WinterFest is not simply a competition. Within FQ’s development framework, the carnival serves a dual function, to expose elite junior players to FQ Technical staff, whilst providing emerging referees with live matchday experience under the guidance of senior officials.

“The carnival plays an important role in nurturing not only our most promising young players, who can showcase their abilities in front of FQ Technical staff who continue to monitor their ongoing development, but also our cohort of emerging referees from across Queensland,” said Ryan Fett, FQ General Manager- Football, Infrastructure & Club Development.

The shift to USC is deliberate. FQ has signalled an intention to elevate the event experience year-on-year, and a university campus venue, with its infrastructure and capacity, reflects that ambition more than a traditional football ground would.

Beyond the Pitch

The tournament’s footprint, however, extends well beyond the pitch. With thousands of visiting families descending on the region across five days, WinterFest functions as a significant economic activation for the Sunshine Coast during what is otherwise a quieter winter period.

“WinterFest brings enormous energy to the region, the USC and Buderim fields will be buzzing and the talent on show outstanding,” said Sunshine Coast Resilient Economy Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg.

The language- “Resilient Economy”- is worth noting. Landsberg’s portfolio title alone signals how local government now frames junior sport: not as community goodwill, but as economic infrastructure.

His reference to Brisbane 2032 made that explicit. “As we move closer to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these experiences are invaluable for aspiring athletes and equally important for boosting local tourism and supporting our businesses during the winter period.”

Whether a regional Under 11 carnival genuinely feeds an Olympic pipeline is debatable. What isn’t is that the political incentive to frame it that way, with 2032 drawing every level of government into the orbit of sport, is very real.

Football NSW partners with Deploy for Association Championships

In an announcement released on Thursday this week, Football NSW revealed Deploy as the Naming Rights Partner of the Football NSW Association Championships.

New competition, new talents

The Association Championships, set to take place in July 2026 at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, will replace the former Association Youth League.

Although the tournament has changed name, its purpose remains consistent: giving youth players the platform to showcase their talent on the football pitch.

In a display of unity and collective ambition, 18 Associations across New South Wales will enter representative teams, each one featuring gifted grassroots players looking to prove themselves against their peers.

“The Deploy FNSW Association Championships will provide a fantastic platform for our Associations to come together and celebrate the best of elite community football,” said Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas via official press release.

“This tournament is all about giving young players, coaches, and referees from every corner of the state a chance to shine and develop in a competitive, supportive environment.”

The partnership between Deploy and Football NSW, therefore, is not merely about a name alteration. It is a collaboration which presents future grassroots talents with a platform and opportunity to compete.

 

Built on shared values

No partnership can succeed without both parties sharing a common goal or set of values. In this case, the alliance between Football NSW and Deploy is built on a commitment to supporting grassroots football and supplying players with quality resources and experiences to showcase their talent.

“Deploy is proud to partner with Football NSW as the Naming Rights Partner of the Association Championships. Community sport plays a vital role in bringing people together and building future leaders, both on and off the field,” explained Chief Commercial Officer at Deploy, Kurt Johnson.

“As long-time partners with Football NSW, this aligns perfectly with our strategy of creating balls designed for each age and skill level of the game, ranging from junior training balls to professional match balls perfect for the competitive environment like the Association Championships.”

Furthermore, with hundreds of participants including players, referees, coaches and supporters due to attend the tournament, the partnership’s impact will extend right across the state of New South Wales.

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