A pre-season trip to Armidale to utilise state-of-the-art training facilities and connect with the Club's regional fans is just the beginning of the Eels' recently launched partnership with the University of New England.
UNE will feature on the back of the 2012 Eels jersey as part of the sponsorship, which will see the team take advantage of the University's sports science facilities and education programs.
With thousands of western Sydney students already studying with UNE through Distance Education courses, Pirtek Parramatta Eels acting Chief Executive Officer Bob Bentley said the partnership was an ideal fit.
"UNE is synonymous with sports science excellence and as a Club we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of high performance," Bentley said.
"This partnership not only gives us a chance to make use of the University's terrific facilities, it opens up doorways to develop our education programs with one of the leading tertiary educators in the country.
"UNE's presence in the west of Sydney is growing and we believe this will be the start of a mutually beneficial partnership ? not just for the Club and UNE, but for western Sydney students as well."
UNE Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jim Barber, said the University was proud to be partnering with one of western Sydney's most recognised brands in the Eels.
"More than 2,000 of UNE's Distance Education students come from Parramatta territory and that figure is growing all the time," Professor Barber said.
"Our sponsorship will not only increase the brand awareness of UNE in the growing Western Sydney area but also give us a chance to collaborate on a range of sports education and sports science initiatives."
More details on the Eels' pre-season camp at UNE will follow in the New Year.
EELS/UNE ARMIDALE PRE-SEASON CAMP
Tuesday 31 January - Friday 3 February, 2012
Itinerary (subject to change):
Tuesday: Civic Reception @ Armidale Mall, 4-5.30pm
Wednesday: Junior Coaching Clinic @ Harris Park, 5-6.30pm
Thursday: 'Dinner with the Eels' @ Ex-Services Club, 6pm
From the Eels website.
You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!
Replies
Hopefully UNE can work on an undetectable steroid and we will become monsters and smash every team.
cant wait for the boys to get up here. Should be good seeing as i probably wouldnt be able to make it down to a game this year.
$60 to go to the dinner is alright too. Also, open training sessions being held at SportUNE should be lots of fun to attend.
I attend the uni myself and its great to see them jump aboard the Eels bandwagon of a '2012 Premiership'!
Bachelor of Rural Science
This is a really good move - it will facilitate and consolidate the outreach to northern NSW which commenced in a serious way last year with a training session in Armidale. It shows it's taking the acquisition and keeping of fans seriously.
Agreed. Seeing as i wouldnt be able to make many if not any games during the season it is good for the players and coaching staff etc to take a trip (camp) to regional areas so as the fans (like me) can get there NRL and Eels fix.
Also, a great idea to host a dinner to allow for players and fans to converse and mingle more than usual.
oh so NOW the EELS strike up a union with UNE, where was that 10 years ago lol but great news
The Pirtek Parramatta Eels will travel to Armidale tomorrow for a four-day training camp at the University of New England, one of the Club's major partners for 2012.
The camp will be the team's first chance to utilise UNE's state of the art altitude training and sports science facilities, and connect with the Club's regional supporter base.
With more than 2,000 of UNE's distance education students based in Parramatta territory, this week's camp kicks off a joint effort between the Eels and UNE to develop tertiary education pathways for the people of western Sydney.
Tuesday 31 January
9.55am - Arrival at Armidale Airport
4pm-5.30pm - Armidale Civic Reception @ Armidale Mall
Wednesday 1 February
9am - Training session, Sport UNE Fields
4.45pm - Junior Coaching Clinic, Harris Park
Thursday 2 February
10.15am - Training session, Sport UNE Fields
6pm - Sport UNE Function, Ex-Services Club
Friday 3 February
9am - Depart for Sydney, Armidale Airport
Please note all times and venues are subject to change.
From the Eels website.
http://www.parraeels.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=4...
Went to the Civic reception (where you get signings and photos) today and have to say it was one of the best experiences of my life.
I have followed the Eels since i can remember and have not had a chance to see them play (other than on TV :P) and probably wont be able to that often in the future due to the distance but have to say that this was such a great experience.
The players were so generous in giving up their time after getting here at 10:00 this morning before having a weights session at SportUNE. I know that the reception was planned but the players seemed to go that extra mile to ensure that each fan was satisfied. I know i sure was.
It is such a great feeling and experience to be able to meet the players and co of the team i am so passionate about and get photos with them and their signatures.
It was unfortunate that the camp was being held so close to the NRL Allstars game as both Hindy and Sandow couldnt make it due to being on the Gold Coast.
I ended up getting a 2012 jersey signed by every player that was able to attend and am hoping that we win the GF so i can frame it (probably will anyway).
It was an experience that i may not have again but it is one i will cherish for ever.
Cant wait to attend the Open training sessions and "Dinner with the Eels".
GO THE EELS !!!!!!
Good on you Nelson, that's good stuff. I think us City folk tend to take it for granted going to all the games and post match functions at the Leagues Club. I'm a season ticketholder (and have been for 14 years) and couldn't imagine not going to the games live, but obviously not everyone has that luxury.
Hope you enjoy the dinner and open training session too!