Nihon University expanded its growing relationship with Northern NSW Football when representatives visited the Hunter region earlier this month to experience northern NSW's football community firsthand.
The visit built on the landmark international partnership between NNSWF and Nihon University, which the organisations formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2025.
The partnership opened new international opportunities for northern NSW players and coaches while connecting Japanese teams and players with NNSWF pathways.
Nihon University representatives explored the region’s football infrastructure during the visit as they saw Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, McDonald Jones Stadium and the University of Newcastle.
They also witnessed the region’s talent firsthand, watching Junior Development League matches, NPL Men’s NNSW matches and Newcastle Jets Academy matches.
The visit gave the university a closer look at the environment supporting football development across northern NSW and highlighted the opportunities the partnership has created.
NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes said the visit gave Nihon University an opportunity to experience the depth of talent, quality of facilities and strength of the football community across northern NSW.
“It was fantastic to welcome Nihon University to northern NSW and give them the opportunity to experience our football community firsthand,” Haynes said.
“From visiting Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility and McDonald Jones Stadium to watching our Junior Development League, NPL Men’s NNSW and Newcastle Jets Academy matches, they saw the depth of talent and quality of facilities we have across our region.
“We know there are significant opportunities to learn from each other and this visit strengthened our relationship and gave us a clear platform to continue creating opportunities for both football communities.”
Nihon University Association Football head coach Kawazu Sans said the visit left a strong impression of the region and its football ecosystem.
“Seeing the Northern NSW Football infrastructure and broader football ecosystem firsthand was a real eye-opener,” Kawazu Sans said.
“I came away extremely positive about the future of the relationship between Nihon University and Northern NSW Football and the opportunities that continue to develop in both directions and across all levels of the football community.”
Kawazu Sans also thanked everyone who contributed to the visit including those involved in the presentations, football matches, social activities, the Hunter Valley experience and discussions with the University of Newcastle.
The visit followed an important milestone in the relationship, with NNSWF sending the first-ever foreign representative team to the prestigious Nihon University High Schools Cup in Japan in 2025.
That experience gave northern NSW players the chance to compete internationally and immerse themselves in Japan’s renowned football culture.
The visit to the Hunter region provided an opportunity to build on that experience, with Nihon University representatives now seeing the NNSWF environment from the other side of the partnership.
By bringing Nihon University representatives to northern NSW, NNSWF gave its Japanese partners a first-hand view of the talent, facilities and football culture across the region.