Northern NSW Football and Newcastle Jets have come together to launch their inaugural Play Football Round this month.
While Newcastle downed Melbourne Victory 2-1 on the pitch in their A-League Men’s fixture yesterday, NNSWF used the opportunity to partner with the Jets off the pitch to raise awareness and encourage kids to play football this season.
NNSWF staff were on hand at McDonald Jones Stadium yesterday and No.2 Sportsground for the Jets’ A-League Women’s match against Canberra United last weekend to host a number of activities.
These included marketing activations which featured giveaways and a photobooth, half-time matches and interviews, mascots, on-screen advertisements and live reads.
NNSWF Interim CEO Peter Haynes said the goal was to ensure football remained the most popular sport in the region.
“Northern NSW Football have partnered with Football Australia and our Member Zones on our 2023 recruitment campaign to increase participant numbers to pre-pandemic levels,” Haynes said.
“We’ve also partnered with Newcastle Permanent to deliver a second round of primary school gala days to give kids a tase of football before the 2023 season starts.
“We’re always trying to grow the game and support our clubs. And participant numbers that exceed 2019 numbers would be a truly outstanding result.”
NNSWF General Manager Marketing & Communications Mike Collins said early signs were positive with registration numbers trending above target so far.
“Northern NSW Football has increased its marketing spend by 41 per cent which includes competitions, digital advertising, out of home advertising, TV, radio, publication partnerships and in person activations,” Collins said.
“While there is still some time before the start of the season, every region is trending up. We have already secured 47 per cent of total 2019 registrations and we are less than two months into our campaign.
“Right now we have a 29 per cent increase on registration numbers for MiniRoos recruitments across northern NSW compared to the same time in 2019. This shows what a strong, healthy position the game is in.”
NNSWF Community Football Manager Ross Hicks said the governing body had also supported its clubs with marketing assets and training.
“Our role is to help our clubs and volunteers and we’ve seen great results so far,” Hicks said.
“With the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 building excitement coming into our new season and the anticipation of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 here at home later this year it makes sense that football is taking centre stage.
“When you factor in additional programs and services for clubs like the NSW Football Legacy Fund it really is shaping up to be one of the biggest years of football in NNSWF’s history. And we’re excited so many people want to be part of it.”
Check out photos of Play Football Round 2023 HERE
