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News
Major boost for Newcastle region with new sponsorship deal
Australia’s largest rail freight company has made a major commitment to Newcastle sport and recreation announcing a three year sponsorship deal for both the Knights and the Jets.
QR National Managing Director & CEO Lance Hockridge joined players and officials from both teams at Newcastle’s Ausgrid Stadium to make the announcement this morning.
He says the company is proud to be coming on board as a major sponsor of the two teams – the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition and the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A League.
“This region is a very important growth area for QR National and we are thrilled that we can extend our involvement in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley community in this way,” Mr Hockridge said.
“Within a relatively short space of time we have captured market share of almost 30 percent in the region with volumes set to climb from 19 million tonnes per annum at the start of the 2010/11 financial year to an estimated 40 million tonnes this financial year.
“We have growing operations and a growing workforce and the announcement today will further strengthen the already solid presence QR National has in the Hunter Valley.”
QR National already has a multi-million dollar investment in the region in new locomotives and wagons and new infrastructure to support its coal haulage activity.
“This is not just about an investment in the future of sport in the region but also an investment in the local community where our people live and work,” Mr Hockridge said.
“The QR National story is a story of growth and I believe sits perfectly with the bright future ahead for these two football clubs.”
Mr Hockridge says there will be a range of exciting initiatves as part of the dual club sponsorship.
“We’ll be supporting community programs, scholarships, health and well-being programs and volunteer recognition programs”, he said.
“We’ll also be using the players to help spread the message of Rail Safety which is something we believe very strongly in.
“Today’s announcement builds on our commitment to regional communities and complements our support in Queensland for the Central Queensland NRL Bid.
“We’re a company with a national footprint and just as we’re proud to support the push to bring a rugby league team to central Queensland, we are similarly very excited about getting involved in supporting sport and the local community in the Hunter Valley.
“It’s about bringing together our employees, our customers and our stakeholders to support the local community.”
For further details:
Brand & Communications
Email: media@aurizon.com.au