EaglesBusinessGroup 8.jpg — Founding members of the W Club. From left to right, Carl Swansbury, partner and head of corporate finance at Ryecroft Glenton; David Pritchard, head of business development and marketing at Sintons; Sophie Milliken MBE, chief executive of Moja; Sarah Birkett, Newcastle Eagles women’s team; Dan Black, sales and communications manager at Newcastle Eagles; Jon Dudgeon, co-founder and chief executive of Blu Sky; Sarah Thackray, co-founder of BeaconHouse Events; Elaine Stroud, chief executive of The Entrepreneurs Forum. Picture: Christopher Owens.

New club rallies behind Eagles’ women

A new business-led campaign is championing women’s basketball in the North East.

The Newcastle Eagles have launched the W Club, an initiative uniting local business leaders to provide financial and strategic support for the women’s team ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The founding group gathered at the Vertu Motors Arena to mark the official launch.

Sophie Milliken MBE, chief executive of Moja Group and a founding group member of W Club, said: “This is about more than sport – it’s about visibility, opportunity and community.

“We’re proud to come together to back Newcastle Eagles Women and demonstrate what’s possible when business gets behind the next generation.”

Carl Swansbury, partner and head of corporate finance at Ryecroft Glenton, as well as being a founding group member of W Club, added: “Whether you’re a small business or a major employer, this is your chance to give back and stand up for women in sport.

“We’re inviting others to join us.”

Members of the W Club will receive a range of benefits, including invitations to exclusive events, matchday tickets and branding opportunities, while helping promote gender equality in sport.

The initiative will also support outreach into grassroots basketball and STEM, aiming to inspire the next generation of girls across the region.

Dan Black, sales and communications manager at Newcastle Eagles, added: “We’re thrilled to see the business community rally behind the Eagles Women.

“The W Club is already creating a buzz and we can’t wait to build on this momentum as the season begins.”

A limited number of membership places are now available for businesses and supporters who want to get involved.

For more details or to join, visit newcastle-eagles.com/wclub.

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