Foundation clubs formally announce partnership

The Newtown Rugby League Football Club is pleased to formally announce that it has formed a partnership with the famous Sydney Roosters RLFC, a fellow foundation club of the NSW Rugby League.

The formation of this partnership between two of Sydney’s 1908 foundation Rugby League clubs is a milestone in the history of both of these iconic sporting institutions.

The two clubs have shared the use of Henson Park during the past twenty years and have junior clubs playing in the same junior Rugby League competitions. Now the Newtown Jets will assume the role of being the Sydney Roosters VB Premier League team following the completion of the 2005 season.

Newtown’s partnership with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks has been an unqualified success, with the Sharks having already secured a place in the 2005 NRL finals series and with Newtown currently in fourth position on the VB Premier League competition table. While the two clubs have amicably agreed not to renew their business and sporting partnership beyond the 2005 season, both clubs are thoroughly focused on ensuring that all of their teams are successful for the remainder of the 2005 season.

Newtown’s new agreement with the Sydney Roosters will be for a five year period, with the option for a further five years. The tenure of this agreement gives the Newtown club the opportunity to plan for its centenary year in 2008 with confidence, and to be able to consolidate its operational position for the future.

Under the terms of the agreement with the Roosters, which has been approved in principle by the Board of the NSW Rugby League, Newtown will retain its registered name; its full club identity; its merchandising rights; its own royal blue colours and jersey; and the Jets will continue to play all home games at their spiritual home, Henson Park.

The Directors of the Newtown Rugby League Football Club wish to assure all Newtown club members and supporters that the decision to link with fellow foundation club the Sydney Roosters has been made with Newtown’s and the Roosters’ best interests uppermost in mind. It is a decision that ensures the survival, growth and consolidation of the famous old Newtown club. We look forward to a great season in 2006 with our joint venture partner the Sydney Roosters.