The most enduring partnership in the nib Newcastle Knights’ history will extend into its 38th year with nib renewing its principal partnership of the Newcastle Knights National Rugby League and National Rugby League women’s teams to the end of 2025.
nib announced today it will continue to sponsor the NRL Newcastle Knights, to the end of 2025. nib, the Newcastle-based, ASX-listed health and travel insurer, began its sponsorship of the Newcastle Knights rugby league team in its foundation year: 1988. It also became the foundation partner of the 2022 Premiership-winning women’s team in its inaugural season in 2021.
“It’s terrific to extend our partnerships,” said Ed Close, chief executive of nib’s Australian Residents Health Insurance. “The Knights are part of our community. Our sponsorship of both teams shows our deep ties to the Hunter region, where nib was formed 70-years ago, and our joint commitment to health and wellbeing within our community.”
nib Newcastle Knights and Wests Group Australia Chief Executive Officer, Philip Gardner, said: “Our relationship with nib runs deep and is truly about more than sport. We share a community and we each have a drive to make our community stronger.
“That is an enormous privilege and responsibility. Our aim is to integrate our business and support programs involving our elite men and women athletes and our community initiatives with nib.”
nib, which provides health insurance to 1.7 million people across Australia and New Zealand, and Knights team members have worked together to deliver community initiatives including the ‘nib Body Kind Breakfast’, in partnership with The Butterfly Foundation; Millie Boyle’s Game Changer program for people living with disability; and Indigenous programming with Awabakal Aboriginal Medical Service, under nib’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
“We are proud that our players can stand beside nib in community health programs that encourage all Australians to look after their health,” Mr Gardner said.
nib’s commitment to sport is also reflected in its sponsorship of the men’s and women’s elite teams with Richmond (AFL & AFLW) and the Auckland Blues (Super Rugby Pacific & Super Rugby Aupiki).
The extension of the sponsorship means the nib brand will continue to adorn the Knights’ front of jersey position in the NRL and NRLW over the coming three seasons, as well as the Knights NSW Cup and Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership sides.
In addition, nib’s support extends to the Knights pathways program including the Tarsha Gale Cup Women’s under 19’s, and men’s Jersey Flegg Cup (under 21’s), SG Ball Cup (under 19’s), and Harold Matthews Cup (under 17’s) teams.
