Last chance for Venues NSW stadium naming sponsorships

Just 15 days after announcing the start of a search for naming rights sponsors for Newcastle's Hunter Stadium and the Parramatta Stadium in western Sydney, Venues NSW's period for 'expressions of interest' ends today.

Inviting expressions of interest from potential naming rights sponsors for both venues on 13th March, Venues NSW Chairman John Quayle, spoke of the "unique opportunity for the right company to associate their brand with (these) landmark facilities."

In respect of naming rights for the Hunter's centrepiece sporting venue, the home ground of the region's two flagship sport teams, Quayle added "more than 57,000 cars pass the stadium every day, making it an essential attraction in the local community, and prime signage is available in the TV arc, reaching viewers across the country.

"In addition to being the home ground of both the Knights and the Jets, the stadium represents the Hunter region on both a national and international scale through major marquee events like the British and Irish Lions tour scheduled for June this year.

"With a state-of-the-art new grandstand, over 26 major events and more than 330,000 spectators visiting the venue each year, Hunter Stadium is an icon of sport in the region with a very bright future ahead."

Quayle added that the naming rights sponsor for the Hunter Stadium will gain a significant presence in the Hunter community.

Explaining the opportunity to be Parramatta Stadium's first ever naming rights sponsor, Quayle stated "this is an exceptional opportunity for the right company to associate their brand with Parramatta's home of sport.

"With both the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers in residence, the stadium is a strong player in the local community.

"Hosting more than 20 major events and 200,000 spectators each year, the stadium is a valuable community asset that will benefit from the investment a naming rights sponsor will bring."

For both venues, Quayle explained that "Venues NSW is seeking to enter ... long-term agreements with the right parties and we are excited to take this opportunity to the market."

While interested parties where invited to submit their expressions of interest should be submitted by today (28th March 2013), industry sources suggest that because of the short time scale and limited awareness of the naming rights sponsorship opportunity, the deadline for expressions of interest may be extended.

For more information about the EOI process email

venuesnsw.sponsorship@communities.nsw.gov.au

http://www.communities.nsw.gov.au/venuesnsw