NSW Mining Extends Knights Partnership And Supports Women’s Rugby League

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

As part of the new deal, the mining communities of Newcastle, Mudgee and Maitland will all host games featuring the Newcastle Knights in 2019, with the St George Illawarra Dragons featuring twice – a pre-season trial and regular season game.

Thousands of miners and their families are expected to 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.

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,” Gardner said.

“Equally their support for our club and our game is vital to our success.”

“We are proud to wear the hi-vis mining jersey and mining families are rightly proud of their industry’s contribution to our region.”

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.”

The Knights take on the Cronulla Sharks in Round 1 of the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership season.