Eagles and Vertu extend winning partnership

A long-standing partnership that has boosted basketball participation and community engagement in Newcastle is set to continue.

Newcastle Eagles and Gateshead-headquartered Vertu Motors have agreed to extend their decade-long collaboration, which has helped the Eagles become the most successful British basketball team of all time, while supporting grassroots programmes across the region. 

Vertu’s backing has grown from vehicle sponsorship to stadium naming rights, with the Vertu Motors Arena, on Scotswood Road, becoming a hub for the local community and for business, attracting up to 300,000 visitors a year.

Over the past ten years, the partnership has contributed to initiatives such as Hoops 4 Health, The Science of Basketballand the Eagles Central Venue League, helping basketball participation in the region hit record levels.

Such success has been mirrored on the court, with the Eagles winning a remarkable ten British basketball title wins, including the 2025 Super League Basketball Trophy.

Paul Blake, managing director of the Newcastle Eagles, said: “We are delighted to continue our fantastic partnership with Vertu, one of the region’s largest employers and most successful businesses.

“It is a relationship that has grown and prospered over the years – as have both organisations, which are both at the very top of their game. 

“The support from Vertu has been invaluable in helping us achieve our goals and we look forward to many more successful years together.”

The renewed deal sees Vertu supply a fleet of eight new Honda HR-Vs to the team, replacing the previous Honda Civics, while maintaining its stadium sponsorship. 

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu, which has grown to become the country’s largest plc motor retailer, added: “We have a long-standing relationship with the Eagles, and I am delighted that we have extended this partnership into its tenth year.

“We are proud to support one of the region’s most successful sports teams and to have our name on the Vertu Motors Arena, which is a standout landmark in the city. 

“The new fleet of Honda HR-Vs will ensure the team remains on the move and ready for success, as they continue to dominate the British Basketball scene.”

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