Member Article

intu takes centre court with Newcastle Eagles sponsorship

intu Metrocentre and intu Eldon Square have been announced as the latest sponsors of the Newcastle Eagles Basketball Team for the 2016 - 2017 season, ahead of their opening home game against the Manchester Giants on 30 September.

In addition to sponsoring court-side advertising boards, intu Metrocentre and intu Eldon Square are providing the prizes for the Eagles’ famous ‘Chuck A Duck’ game. Every home game spectators can pay £1 to throw a duck at a target on the court - the three lucky fans who get their ducks closest to the centre of the target win an intu Gift Card.

As a company, intu is committed to the local community that it serves and this is a principle that is at the heart of the Newcastle Eagles and their Community Foundation.

The team is dedicated to creating and maintaining strong ties with young people all around the region and their Hoops 4 Health programme has been visiting primary and middle schools in the north east since 2000. Hoops 4 Health combines fun interactive basketball coaching sessions - emphasising the importance of teamwork, with roadshows that promote health and fitness, and tackle the issues of smoking and discrimination.

With around 60 million shoppers from the north east and beyond visiting intu Metrocentre and intu Eldon Square every year, the Eagles will have the opportunity to engage with visitors, encourage new fans and young players and spread the word about the Community Foundation’s fun events and activities. Both centres are providing sites for pop up shops selling Eagles merchandise and replica kits – with all proceeds helping to secure the future of the club and foundation.

Over the course of the season the Eagles will be bringing all the fun of a basketball game to intu Metrocentre and intu Eldon Square - from hoop shoot out competitions and coaching, to opportunities to meet the players. Budding young basketball players will be treated to a free lesson on hoop skills in centre by the professionals – an opportunity not to be missed by any fans of the game! Cheerleaders will also be on hand to bring the game night experience to intu shoppers and exhibition games will take place in centre with teams from the Eagles School of Excellence taking part as well as the Eagles Wheelchair Basketball team.

Eagles’ spectators will also get to see intu Metrocentre’s cuddly Metrognomes embracing the delights of basketball as they will be making a special appearance at the Eagles’ match against Cheshire Phoenix on Friday 16 December.

Gavin Prior, general manager of intu Metrocentre, commented:

“We’re delighted to support the Eagles – their outreach programmes have such a positive impact on young people in the region and it’s great to be involved with an organisation who shares so many of intu’s core values. I know that a number of staff have expressed interest in volunteering with the Eagles’ community events as they recognise the important role that they play in the local area.”

Phil Steele, general manager of intu Eldon Square, added:

“We’re very proud to be sponsoring the Eagles - the games always have a fantastic family friendly atmosphere and we’re looking forward to welcoming them in centre to give young shoppers a crash course in hoop skills. We also wish the Eagles the very best of luck for another successful season!”

Paul Blake, Managing Director of Newcastle Eagles, said:

“Having the team at intu support us this season is huge for both the club and our foundation. We’re really excited about the opportunity to bring a little of our game night experience into the centres and let the shoppers see how much fun this sport of ours can be.

“The work the Eagles and intu will be able to do together, as we continue the growth of our foundation’s programmes across the region, is another big win for the North East basketball community. We’re excited to tip-off with the events at intu Eldon Square and intu Metrocentre over the next 12 months and beyond.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Suhaine Baptie .