Newcastle Rugby Foundation and Newcastle Red Bulls proudly hosted a hugely successful Business Breakfast Huddle on Wednesday 26th November, bringing together more than 140 business leaders, CEOs and community influencers for a high-energy morning of networking, insight, and shared ambition.
Held in the Premier Club overlooking a frosty Kingston Park pitch, the event provided a powerful platform for exploring leadership, culture, resilience and social impact, uniting the North East’s business community and foregrounding some incredible stories.
Inspiring Voices, Powerful Messages
The morning featured an outstanding speaker lineup representing elite sport, business leadership, personal development and lived experience.
Jonny Petrie, Managing Director of Newcastle Red Bulls reflected on guiding the club through transition and ambition, speaking openly about the importance of authenticity, courage, and consistency when leading teams.
Seb de Chaves, Newcastle Red Bulls player and sport psychology specialist, followed with insights from inside the professional game. He explored how mindset, discipline and reflecting on how far you’ve came translate far beyond sport and are essential ingredients in building winning environments in any sector.
Lysa Morrison, executive coach and mentor, delivered a powerful session on leadership self-awareness. She challenged delegates to reflect on how they show up for their teams, how they make space for growth, and how clarity of purpose drives performance in all areas of life.
Former England winger and proud Foundation ambassador Tony Underwood brought a unique blend of elite-level experience and personal warmth as he spoke about the transformative role rugby has played in his own journey. He highlighted why the Foundation’s work matters now more than ever in supporting young people and strengthening communities across the region.
Lived Experience at the Heart of the Morning
The most moving moments came from Reece and Charlie, two of the Foundation’s remarkable young beneficiaries. Both spoke with confidence and honesty about how involvement in Newcastle Rugby Foundation programmes has opened doors, built confidence, and helped them navigate challenges in their lives. Their stories captured the room, reminding every guest why the Foundation’s mission is so vital.
A Morning of Shared Momentum
Beyond the talks, the Business Breakfast Huddle created space for valuable networking, new partnerships and bold ideas. With more than 140 leaders under one roof, the energy was palpable; proof of the strength of the North East business community when united around positive purpose.
Newcastle Rugby Foundation extend thanks to every guest, partner and speaker who helped make the morning such an inspiring success. Together, we continue to build a region where sport drives opportunity, connection and lasting change.
A special thank you to Bidfood for sponsoring the catering, Newcastle Red Bulls for the venue and Fusion for Business for supporting the event.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our events, or how you can work with the Foundation, email melanie.magee@newcastlefalcons.co.uk or charlie.roberts@newcastle-falcons.co.uk
You can explore our Corporate Opportunities here: https://www.newcastlerugbyfoundation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Corporate-Opportunities.pdf
