A community match made in heaven celebrates its sixth anniversary tonight as two committed North East partners continue to thrive.

Newcastle Eagles and Newcastle College rubber-stamped their relationship in January 2019 — just days after British basketball’s most successful club moved into its brand new arena.

And six years down the line that partnership has never been stronger with Newcastle College University Centre, the college’s higher education arm, front and centre on the Eagles men’s jerseys and with both staff and students regular visitors to the multi-purpose Vertu Motors Arena.


Newcastle College Eagles Academy and Staff Photoshoot - 2024-12-03 - Group in Stand
Newcastle College and the Eagles work side-by-side in a partnership that spans the club, the foundation and the wide community, all from our Scotswood Road neighbouring facilities.

Alan Fenton, Deputy Principal of Newcastle College, said: “We are very proud to still be working in close partnership with Newcastle Eagles six years after we celebrated the opening of the arena.

“Over the past six years we have worked together to provide our students with unique experiences and showcase the transformative opportunities offered through higher technical education and sport to those across our region.”

This evening as the Eagles take on London Lions, the College are ball sponsors and the club will welcome its principalship along with staff and students all in the stands to celebrate this partnership milestone and show their support for the team.


Newcastle College Eagles Academy and Staff Photoshoot - 2024-12-03 - Alan Fenton, Will Neighbour and Paul Blake
Alan Fenton, Deputy Principal at Newcastle College, with Newcastle Eagles Player Will Neighbour and Managing Director Paul Blake.

“The arena is not just home to the club”, Fenton added. “It hosts many of our students for lessons, games and work experience and has even hosted some of our graduation ceremonies.

“This year we continue to strengthen our relationship with both the club and the Eagles Community Foundation.

“We have returned to the front of the Eagles shirt as kit sponsor, expanded our Newcastle College Eagles basketball team and we’re looking forward to much more to come.”

Less than a mile separates Newcastle Eagles’ Scotswood Road home and the college’s city centre campus.


Since the arena’s opening, the college has been an anchor-tenant and in spring 2023 a Newcastle College Eagles Academy team was launched to compete in the national College Basketball League (CBL) competition.

Students take to the court as the Newcastle College Eagles in CBL, AoC and NBL competitions.

The programme was so successful it has now grown to three teams competing in the AoC Regional North East League and Basketball England Under-18 National Basketball League.

“When we opened the arena in 2019 it was a step into the unknown but from day one Newcastle College has been there to support us,” said Paul Blake, Managing Director of Newcastle Eagles.

“Our work together stretches across the club, the Foundation and the wider community, and six years down the line, its positive impact is there for all to see.

“Alan, his colleagues and Newcastle College students know they will always be welcome at the Vertu Motors Arena and we’re proud to carry their name on our jerseys into next week’s Trophy final in Birmingham.”