The Pirtek Parramatta Eels are proud to announce the re-signing of one of the Club's major apparel sponsors in the University of New England (UNE) on an upgraded deal for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Eels players and the people of western Sydney will be afforded even greater access to cutting edge sports science courses and facilities with UNE's 'Future Campus' set to open on Parramatta's Church Street next year.
The partnership will see the Eels play a trial match in Armidale against the Newcastle Knights in the 2013 pre-season as part of the team's annual training camp, and UNE insignia feature on the front of the Eels' 2013 match jersey.
Pirtek Eels CEO Bob Bentley said access to UNE's state-of-the-art facility in Parramatta – and the main campus facilities in Armidale – would be advantageous to head coach Ricky Stuart as he looks to rebuild the Eels side.
"In an industry as competitive as rugby league you're always looking for any area where you can get ahead and give your team the resources to improve," Bentley said.
"For us, player welfare and education is just as important as on-field performance."
"Our partnership with UNE not only offers our players an important pathway to furthering their educations, it gives us access to some of the best sports science facilities in the country.
"We think it is important to ensure players have a meaningful career when their playing days are over and higher education plays a key part in that."
UNE Vice-Chancellor Jim Barber said the continued Eels sponsorship was part of the University's focus on sport.
"Our partnership with one of the country's best known National Rugby League teams compliments UNE's state-of- the-art facilities and new specialties in sports management and physical education," Professor Barber said.
"We hope to further enhance our reputation for sporting excellence in the coming years and the Eels are part of that strategy."
Newly-appointed Eels Welfare and Education Officer Luke Burt said the continued partnership fitted with the Eels and the NRL's encouragement of players to undertake higher education and training.
"I finished my studies with UNE when they joined the Club last year and am in a good position to provide advice to our guys on the importance of tertiary education," Burt said.
"We have a few other players studying including Tim Mannah and Pat O'Hanlon and I definitely think there's recognition there that they are setting themselves up for life after footy."
Professor Barber said Eels territory in Western Sydney was a significant market for UNE with more than 2000 of its Distance Education students residing in the area.
Professor Barber said that presence will increase in 2013, when the Future Campus is opened on Church Street.
"The Future Campus will give distance education students the opportunity to collaborate with peers and instructors through cutting edge video conferencing facilities," he said.
The Future Campus is expected to open to students from Trimester 1 2013.
Source:
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