Newcastle Knights to play in three mining towns in 2019

NSW Mining extends partnership for three years + supports women’s rugby league

The mining communities of Newcastle, Mudgee and Maitland will all host games featuring the Newcastle Knights in 2019, as part of the club’s partnership with NSW Mining to recognise the contribution of the state’s mining workers and their families.

The NSW Minerals Council and the Newcastle Knights are extending their partnership for another three years with mining communities featuring heavily in the clubs plans for the upcoming season.

• • The Knights will twice play the St George Illawarra Dragons – another club with close ties to a mining region in Wollongong – in a pre-season trial and during the NRL season.

• • The hi-vis mining jersey will be worn in Round 10 in Mudgee, home to thousands of local mining workers and people in jobs that keep local mines working

• • Thousands of miners and their families will turn out in hi-vis to cheer on the Knights at the annual Voice for Mining Family Day in Round 5 when the Knights wear the mining jersey against the Manly Sea Eagles.

The NSW Mining logo will also feature for the first time on the club’s U18 women’s Tarsha Gale jersey in support of growing women’s rugby league and in recognition of the important role women play in the NSW mining industry.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee says this long-standing partnership is now in its seventh year to recognise the contribution of mining families and the good things mining brings to the Hunter and NSW.

“There is a strong bond between the club and our industry, with so many current and former players having worked at our mines including Bill Peden, Steve Simpson, Nathan Ross and Josh King. That bond continues to grow through this partnership,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate the contribution of mining families in the Illawarra and central west when the Knights play the Dragons in Mudgee. It’s home to three major operating mines, thousands of mine workers and over 320 local businesses supplying our mines.

“And we wish the Newcastle Knights Tarsha Gale squad all the best for the season ahead. We hope they can have a successful year in 2019 with our support.”

Newcastle Knights CEO Philip Gardner says the Club welcomes the extension of the partnership and is very proud to support mining communities in the Hunter and across the State.

“The contribution our miners make is vital to our country’s economic prosperity. Equally their

support for our club and our game is vital to our success,” Mr Gardner said.

“We are proud to wear the hi-vis mining jersey and mining families are rightly proud of their

industry’s contribution to our region.

“Mining is great for our region and it’s great for our country. When mining is strong, Australia is

strong and when the Knights are supported by mining our club is strong.”

Hugo Robinson