The nib Newcastle Knights are pleased to announce McDonald's has renewed their sponsorship of the Club for another three seasons with a partnership that strongly supports grass roots Rugby League and the community.
McDonald's will continue as a premium kit partner on the front of the playing shorts until 2021, but the relationship between the Knights and McDonalds extends much deeper with both organisations sharing similar values of getting juniors active by participating in sports and Rugby League, in particular at a young age, in a great team environment.
During each year of the tenure, the Knights and McDonald's will continue to deliver the programs key community components, including providing additional resourcing to the Knights to visit many junior clubs between Lake Macquarie and Singleton, being the presenting partner for the Mini League teams on the field at Knights home games, supporting the highly successful Future Champions School Holiday Clinic as well as naming right to the largest schools rugby league competition in New South Wales, the Knights All Schools Competition.
"It's an exciting time to be with the Club and I'm thrilled that McDonald's have extended a truly unique partnership through a range of initiatives designed to bring our team and the community together," said Knights CEO, Mr Philip Gardner.
Young rugby league fans will be the focus of the partnership as McDonald's continues their Future Champions Program, providing NRL opportunities at a grassroots level to junior players and Clubs across the Hunter.
"The fundamental essence of our partnership is to support the community, we understand rugby league is part of the fabric of Newcastle and the Hunter region, and through the support of these programs we can encourage children to get active and participate in rugby league in a safe and fun way," said Mr Murray McKeough, McDonald's Newcastle and Hunter Region licensee.
"Through direct player access, coaching and engagement together, we can deliver a platform to provide some wonderful skills whilst building children's confidence to lead them towards achieving their future goals, on and off the field."
The new deal will maintain support of the closely aligned major charity, Ronald McDonald House Newcastle, with regular visits by players to the House, John Hunter Children's Hospital and their largest annual fundraiser to support seriously ill children and their families.
"This Saturday, November 17 is McHappy Day and through our existing collaboration, we'll have a whole host of players visiting local restaurants around the Hunter to participate in the fundraising and meet and greet with fans," added Mr Gardner.
Join McDonald's and the Newcastle Knights this Saturday November 17 at the following McDonald's restaurant locations:
Restaurant: McDonald's Greta (112 High street)
Time: 11am to 12pm
Players: Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson
Restaurant: McDonald's Westfield Kotara Food Court
Time: 11am to 12pm
Players: Mitchell Pearce and Mason Lino
Restaurant: McDonald's Charlestown (109 Pacific Highway)
Time: 11am to 12pm
Players: Aidan Guerra and Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Restaurant: McDonald's Swansea (Cnr Wood street and Pacific street)
Time: 11am to 12pm
Players: Jamie Buhrer and Herman Ese'ese
Restaurant: McDonald's Mayfield (107 Maitland Road)
Time: 11am to 12pm
Players: Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Mitchell Barnett
