Northumbria University buys Falcons' ground

The university believes the ground is of strategic importance to the future of the sport and has today announced ambitious plans to work with the Newcastle Falcons to develop the UK’s first ever rugby-based Centre of Sporting Excellence at Kingston Park in Newcastle.

Northumbria University ’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Andrew Wathey said: “The University has enjoyed strong links with the Newcastle Falcons for a number of years, bringing benefits to the sport of rugby and to both organisations."

In 2002, the University worked with the Newcastle Falcons on the planning application to develop Kingston Park and the University’s adjacent sports ground at Bullocksteads and Northumbria had always planned to develop a Centre of Sporting Excellence around rugby in partnership with the Club.  The acquisition of the 23-acre site includes the rugby stadium, land around the stadium and the car park. The Newcastle Falcons have an existing lease of the facilities which is unaffected by the acquisition and they will continue to have full use of all facilities at the ground.

The Bullocksteads sports ground is extensively used by Team Northumbria and the University’s football and rugby teams for matches, as a training facility and as a venue for mini-rugby tournaments, as well as for its community and education outreach activity.  

The new Centre of Sporting Excellence will offer first-class facilities for up-and-coming rugby stars to work more closely with rugby’s elite and will provide the Club with fresh young talent, to be nurtured and developed into the UK’s future top players.

Northern Rock remains the main sponsor of the Club and Newcastle Falcons Chairman Dave Thompson praised the company for its vital and continued support over the years.  He is delighted that Northumbria University has now acquired the ground and is looking forward to developing their already strong partnership with the University.   “Working together, we can have a long and lasting impact on the North East, putting the region firmly on the map as an area of excellence for rugby and helping to attract the best in the world to the region, as well as nurturing our own rugby talent and developing the stars of tomorrow.” Dave told us.

Professor Wathey added: “Northumbria University has been at the forefront of student rugby in the UK for the past decade and fields teams in both the men’s and women’s events across the country.  The Northumbria teams currently boast some great talent, with several students playing at international level and in the Newcastle Falcons’ academy squad.”

The university is hoping that this collaboration will allow the success of Northumbria in the rugby arena to continue to grow. To date Northumbria’s achievements in rugby are exemplified by the fact that three of its graduates, Martin Corry, Jamie Noon and Toby Flood, represented England in the last world cup and we hope this is only just be the beginning.