Vitality's core purpose, to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives, aligns with Newcastle United Foundation's belief in using the power of football to support the local community and promote healthy lifestyles. Through its partnership with NUW, Vitality will work with the club to inspire more girls and women to get active, try football and to live healthier lives.

Vitality has sponsored Newcastle United Football Club since September 2018, and this extension across to the women's game reflects their commitment to women in sport, and recognises that women are traditionally less active than men (the gender play gap). Vitality will work with the club and its other partners to drive visibility of the women's game and inspire more girls and women to try football or other sport and physical activity.

Newcastle United Women's team begin their new campaign on September 20th with an away fixture against Durham Cestria.

Head of Newcastle United Foundation, Steve Beharall, said: "We are very pleased to expand our relationship with Vitality, who has sponsored the men's first team over the last two years.

"It is great to be associated with Vitality and we are looking forward to the season starting so we continue to inspire even more women and girls into football. The future of NUW is very exciting and this partnership announcement is part of a longer term plan to create safe and quality pathways for the female players across our community.

"The Foundation works closely with NUW in order to create role models and pathways for our participants and we're excited to see the team's progression over the next few years.

"Vitality shares a similar vision to the Foundation, which aims to help people get active and lead a healthier life."

Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Newcastle United Women's team for the next season, which extends our existing partnership with Newcastle United Football Club and reflects our commitment to women's sport.

"Newcastle United Foundation support their local community through football and we hope that by working with Newcastle United Women’s team, we can support better visibility of women in sport and inspire many more women and girls to play football, get active and live healthier lives."

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC