AusLeisure

Wednesday 9th October saw a series of sport announcements centred on Parramatta with its stadium announcing a new naming rights sponsor, the Eels agreeing new shirt sponsors and its football club unveiling a new technical director.

The day saw NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Gabrielle Upton join Venues NSW Chairman John Quayle and Pirtek Chief Executive Stephen Dutton to announce Pirtek as the new naming rights sponsor for Parramatta Stadium.

Announcing Pirtek's move from from sponsoring the Eels to acquiring the naming for the Parramatta Stadium, Minister Upton explained "Pirtek and Venues NSW have signed a five-year deal with a further option and I am delighted to welcome them on board as the first ever naming rights sponsor of this iconic sporting ground

"With a long history as home of the Parramatta Eels, the Stadium is continuing to attract record crowds with the Western Sydney Wanderers as co-tenants.

"This adds up to significant economic benefits for Western Sydney local businesses, with the flow on effect of ticket sales and visitor spending."

Stephen Dutton added "Pirtek commenced its business in Western Sydney 33 years ago and whilst expanding both nationally and internationally it is still our spiritual homeland.

"Branding on this iconic stadium in a long term deal with Venues NSW was a logical step for us as it fitted in well with our national branding strategy.

"Western Sydney Wanderers are setting the benchmark for stadium atmosphere nationally and will take the A League and Pirtek Stadium to the football world.

"We have been privileged to enjoy a great association with the Parramatta Eels over the last nine years and look forward to continuing to work closely with the club which has some of the best supporters in the NRL.

"We are proud to continue our support of the community in Western Sydney and are extremely happy to be associated with the world class events that take place out of this great venue."

260,000 people attended events at Parramatta Stadium during the 2012/13 season and the venue is set to gain from an upcoming $29 million redevelopment.

At the Eels, property developer Dyldam will replace Pirtek as the NRL Club's major sponsor for the next three seasons, while online betting group Unibet signing on as well as a back-of-jersey sponsor. Collectively the deals are thought to be worth more than $1 million a year.

The sponsorship news is a welcome boost for the Eels having finished bottom of the NRL ladder for two seasons in a row and who currently lack a coach.

However, the club does have a new Chief Executive, with Scott Seward recently appointed to the role becoming the Eels' fourth Chief Executive in three years.

Seward was formerly the Eels' General Manager of Membership and Consumer Busines and during his time in that role the Club's membership grew by 49.5% in 2012 to a record 17,205 the largest increase in the NRL.

Meanwhile, SUPA IGA National Premier League NSW Mens 2 club Parramatta FC has announced the appointment of Dutchman Jakob Tielman as its new Technical Director, with the experienced UEFA B/AFC B football license signed by the club on a three year contract.

The signing, announced by Parramatta FC's new committee, backed by the Granville and Districts Soccer Football Association (GDSFA), represents a milestone for football development for Parramatta FC and Australia following in the footsteps of fellow Tielman's fellow Dutchmen Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek as coaches of the Socceroos and Football Federation Australia Technical Director Hans Berger.

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