Sponsorships & Partnerships
- North Melbourne Kangaroos
- Mitchell Johnson, Australian Fast Bowler
- Wayne Newby and the JBS Newby Racing Team
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Blackwoods are proud premier sponsors of the legendary Kangaroos.
Like Blackwoods, the North Melbourne Football Club emerged from humble origins.
Founded in 1869, just a decade before James Blackwood began servicing merchant ships
on Sydney Harbour, the club arose through the need to provide local cricketers with
a competitive sport throughout the idle winter months. In 1877, the club played a
major role in the formation and development of the Victorian Football Association (VFA).
Undaunted by the turmoil associated with the formation of the Victorian
Football League (VFL) in 1896, the team from Arden Street had a breakthrough
in the 1903 season claiming its first premiership flag. This sparked an amazing
run which saw North win six premierships in just fourteen seasons.
The club became a genuine powerhouse of the competition and was undefeated
in 1915 and 1918. It won forty-nine consecutive matches between 1914 and
1919 and neither feat has been repeated by a League or Association side.
1950 proved to be a watershed year in the clubs history. Not only was it
the first season in which the club played as the 'Kangaroos', but it was
also the year of it's first finals victory and, ultimately, it's first VFL Grand Final.
In 2008, Blackwoods began as the club's official premier partner. This was the first
time that Blackwoods has committed to a sponsorship of this kind.
The sponsorship is a unique opportunity for Blackwoods’ customers, suppliers and
employees to be involved with a national iconic identity and we are extremely excited
to be partnering with North Melbourne.
Having grabbed a finals berth again in 2008, the Kangaroos are looking forward to
kicking even bigger goals in the coming years, and Blackwoods will be there every
step of the way with them.
Mitchell Johnson, Australian Fast Bowler
Blackwoods Brand Ambassador
An outstanding Test debut at his Gabba home ground in November 2007 was the culmination
of years of hard work and persistence for dangerous left arm paceman Mitchell Johnson.
At age 17, former Test fast-bowler Dennis Lillee identified him as a "once in a lifetime
prospect". Few cricketers show the promise that young Mitchell Johnson did, and even
fewer fulfil that promise so spectacularly including 8 wickets in the first innings
of the first test versus South Africa in the summer of 08/09.
Mitch has grabbed his opportunity with both hands and now features in both
the Australian Test and One Day Teams, and has proudly extended his partnership
with Blackwoods through 2009/2010 including the Ashes contests and the tour of South Africa.
"I am really pleased to be invited to continue my association with Blackwoods"
says Mitch. I have met customers and Blackwoods people from just about every region
of Australia, it is part of my travels I really enjoy and I can even tell them I have my own JBS Tool Kit at home!"
Blackwoods Mitchell Johnson TAFE Safety Award
Hailing from Townsville, Mitch was excited to join Blackwoods in sponsoring the
"Blackwoods Mitchell Johnson TAFE Safety Award" in North Queensland. The award
aims at encouraging apprentices and trainees to not only become top trades people,
but also to put Safety First at work and play.
"I was delighted to be part of the Blackwoods Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE
Awards especially with the winning student & teacher coming from Townsville".
"If I can help Blackwoods get the safety message across to our young trades
people, I am more than happy to be part of the program."
Wayne Newby and the JBS Newby Racing Team
Dragster Racing Champion
JBS is the major sponsor of the Newby Top Alcohol Dragster Race Team. Affectionately
known within drag racing circles as “The JBS Jet” this car and team have blown away
all comers over the last few seasons culminating in winning the ANDRA 2006-2007
Top Alcohol Championship. Wayne (The Pilot) a two time Champion is the current holder
of the Australian Speed and Elapsed Time records and is currently tied for equal
top position in this years championship after two rounds.
JBS and Newby’s have had a close association over four years now, with JBS supplying
much of their workshop and pit crew needs during this time. Wayne and the crew proudly
endorse the JBS brand of tools and while normally being a test pilot for new high
tech automotive components and engines, he is considered our number one test pilot
for JBS tools.
“Blackwoods have been a great supporter of the Newby Racing team for a number of
seasons, and with them willing to back me and also the category that I run in is
yet another example of their continued dedication and commitment to the sport of
Drag Racing.
“Of course there is extra motivation and pressure to win, but that is nothing new,
as there is no one that puts more pressure on me to succeed than myself.”
