The NSW Minerals Council and the Newcastle Knights have signed a new agreement that will see the mining industry continue as a major sponsor of the NRLW premiers for two more years.
The club will again wear the NSW Mining logo on its jersey in the NRLW in 2023 & 2024 in a demonstration of the mining industry’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
It also cements the NSW mining industry’s support for women’s sport, which has included sponsorship of the Newcastle Knights in the U19s Tarsha Gale Cup and the club’s team in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership for a number of years.
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said it was exciting to be part of an industry providing more pathways for women into professional sport and for careers in mining.
“The premiership win last year was incredible to see and we are very proud to have been a strong supporter of the club in its first year in the NRLW,” Mr Galilee said.
“This sponsorship aligns with our own focus as a responsible mining industry to provide more opportunities for women in a more inclusive and diverse workforce.”
The announcement was made ahead of the NSW Women in Mining Awards, a major event in Sydney to highlight the industry’s commitment to inclusion and diversity and to recognise the achievements of an increasing number of women working in mining in NSW.
nib Newcastle Knights premiership-winning fullback Tamika Upton will appear at the event
and highlight the important role foundation partners such as the NSW Minerals Council play in the sport today.
“As players, we are very aware of the critical role that partners like NSW Mining play in the the success of our sport,” Upton said.
“NSW Mining has been a part of our team since its inception and has been part of the Knights female pathways program for even longer again.
“Without that investment, which stands independent of the investment it makes in our NRL
team, we couldn’t do what we do and as a team we are very thankful for the support NSW Mining gives us.”
Newcastle Knights CEO Philip Gardner welcomed the commitment from the NSW Minerals
Council, a foundation partner of the NRLW side and a long-time supporter of the Newcastle Knights.
“You build success from strong foundations and this partnership with the NSW Minerals
Council is one of the strongest in the game,” Mr Gardner said.
“We can continue to grow the game for women and keep achieving at a high level with this kind of long-term support.
“Mining is central to the prosperity of our region, vital to our state and such a big part of our
community. So it is wonderful to have mining, an industry that is one of the pillars of our region, to continue its support for our women’s program.”
The NSW Minerals Council has sponsored the Newcastle Knights women's team in the NRLW team since 2021.
Since 2013, the annual Voice for Mining Family Day at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle has celebrated the proud contribution made by tens of thousands of mining families across the state and the good things mining brings to NSW.
Voice for Mining Family Day this year will be held on Sunday 20 August 2023 when the Newcastle Knights play South Sydney.
