Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce a landmark international partnership that will provide international opportunities for northern NSW players, coaches and match officials.
NNSWF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nihon University, one of Japan’s most prestigious universities, in a ceremony in Tokyo on Monday.
NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes said the agreement reinforced NNSWF’s commitment to talent development and in using football and culture to create pathways for player development as well as coach and match official exchange.
“This in an important and historic moment for football in northern NSW and our football family,” Haynes said.
“Nihon University have one of the finest football programs in Japan and the agreement will bring educational and cultural exchange opportunities to our region for our football family, as well as significant football and talent development opportunities.
“The signing of this MOU is the result of two years of discussions, dedicated partnership building and laying the groundwork with Nihon University, one of Japan’s oldest, largest and most prestigious universities. This is their first formal international partnership outside of the education sector, which says a lot about the potential of this partnership.
“When Nihon University established its first international campus in Newcastle it amplified our discussions in that it elevated our region’s status as an education hub but also gave us the impetus to open discussions for a mutually beneficial relationship between our organisations through football.
“Now we have created a direct pathway for our players, coaches and match officials to experience global best practice. And it supports a number of key pillars from our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, particularly Talent Development for All, Champions in Excellence and Enjoyable Football Experience.”
The agreement will create opportunities for northern NSW boys and girls and provide pathways for Japanese teams and players to engage with NNSWF football pathways. This will include exclusive tournament invitations, connections with the Nihon University football program as well as J-League and WE-League academies in Japan and in northern NSW.
Haynes was part of a NNSWF delegation, including Chairman Mike Parsons, that travelled to Tokyo for the formal signing ceremony yesterday.
The visit was an important component of the partnership-building process involving immersion into Japan’s renowned football culture. The visit also confirmed NNSWF’s commitment to using football as a tool for cultural exchange, support and community connection.
The formal MOU signing builds on NNSWF’s work in Japan, which has already resulted in historic opportunities. NNSWF sent the first-ever foreign representative team to the prestigious Nihon University High Schools Cup in September.