Following a phenomenal debut year that secured the immediate future of elite women’s basketball in the region, Newcastle Eagles’ ‘W Club’ has officially opened its doors for the upcoming season, calling on North East businesses to help make this year bigger, bolder, and even more impactful.

Launched last year at the Vertu Arena, the initiative brought together a powerhouse collective of regional business leaders pledging financial backing and strategic support to the Newcastle Eagles Women’s team. Thanks to those collective corporate efforts, significant funding was raised, directly safeguarding the women’s team and ensuring their place on the court.

Now, as the new season approaches, the founding group is calling on the regional business community to build on that vital momentum. The goal for this year is simple: expand the network, increase the financial backing, and elevate the profile of women’s sport in the North East to new heights.


Eagles Women’s head coach Chloe Gaynor and Managing Director Paul Blake joined on the Vertu Arena court by representatives of the W Club’s founding members group. Left to right: Sarah Thackray (BeaconHouse Events), David Pritchard (Sintons LLP), Sophie Milliken MBE (Moja) and Kim Rowling (Blu Sky).

Sophie Milliken, CEO of Moja and founding group member, said: “What we achieved last year proved exactly what happens when the North East business community steps up. But we are just getting started.

“This isn’t just about survival; it’s about growth, visibility, and creating a sustainable legacy for women in sport. We need more businesses to stand with us this season to show the next generation of female athletes what is possible.”

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE W CLUB


Chloe Gaynor, Head Coach of the Eagles Women’s team, added: “The W Club has been vital for the continuity of the women’s programme. We have gained a community of likeminded business owners who want to push forward and support the women’s game, contributing not only financially, but also with their knowledge of industry, promotion of the games and what we do, as well as providing support on the sideline at games.

“I’d like to thank them for the support they have provided over the last 12 months and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the second year. I’d like to invite as many businesses to get involved as possible, and let’s push the game forward together!”

Membership in the W Club offers corporate backers an annual package of commercial and community benefits, including exclusive networking opportunities, brand exposure, and game ticketing packages, alongside supporting the club’s vital grassroots outreach into local schools with the women’s team’s STEM programme, led by head coach Chloe Gaynor and the players.

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2025/26 W Club members came together at the Vertu Arena to celebrate what they helped the programme achieve last season and prepare for even more in year two.

Paul Blake, Managing Director of Newcastle Eagles, added: “The North East business community rallied behind our women’s team last year, and the buzz they created across the region in creating the ‘W Club’ was incredible.

“As we head into the new season, I know we can build on that amazing first year of support. We are so grateful to our founding members for their continued backing and to all who joined them throughout the last 12 months.

“We can’t wait to see what our ‘W Club’ can empower our women’s programme to achieve in year two.”

David Pritchard, Head of Business Development & Marketing at Sintons noted: “Whether you are a major regional employer or a growing independent business, the W Club is a direct, impactful way to give back. We set a high bar last year, but this year we want to go bigger and better.”

A limited number of corporate memberships for the new season are now open. Businesses looking to make a tangible impact on regional women’s sport and connect with a dynamic network of fellow leaders can find out more about The W Club on our website.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE W CLUB

Thanks to our W Club founders and all of our 2025/26 members for all of their support in the inaugural season:

The W Club’s founding members:

  • Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance, Ryecroft Glenton
  • David Pritchard, Head of Business Development and Marketing, Sintons LLP
  • Sophie Milliken, CEO, Moja
  • Jon Dudgeon, Co-Founder and CEO, Blu Sky
  • Sarah Thackray, Co-Founder, BeaconHouse Events
  • Elaine Stroud, CEO, the Entrepreneurs Forum

2025/26 W Club Members pictured above – left to right:

  • Toni Fitzgerald, Lumo
  • Vince Moore
  • Helen Richardson, Therapeutic Massage Clinic
  • Ross Woodward, NE Solutions
  • Chloe Gaynor, Newcastle Eagles
  • Paul Blake, Newcastle Eagles
  • Jack Saward, Saward Marketing and Events
  • Richard Salkeld, Lumo
  • Matthew Brady, Ward Hadaway
  • Martin Stout, Tier One Capital
  • Alison Jones, Muckle LLP
  • Sarah Thackray, BeaconHouse Events
  • David Pritchard, Sintons LLP
  • Sophie Milliken MBE, Moja
  • Kim Rowling, Blu Sky

Our other 2025/26 members – not pictured:

  • B7
  • Curlew Accounting
  • Dame Allan’s Schools
  • Develop North
  • Entrepreneurs Forum
  • Explain Research
  • Fuse Media
  • Greggs Foundation
  • Hilton Newcastle Tyne Bridge
  • Newcastle International Airport
  • North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
  • Northumbria Healthcare
  • Northumbrian Water
  • Paints for Industry
  • Pearson Engineering
  • Perco Foods
  • Plastic Processing Limited
  • Ryecroft Glenton
  • SOS Group
  • Studio Appleby