Sponsors of the nib Newcastle Knights Junior Representative program have come together to celebrate the SG Ball, Tarsha Gale and Harold Matthews Cup sides making their respective finals series for season 2023.
With NSW Rugby League finals kicking off in those competitions on 15 April, sponsor representatives gathered at McDonald Jones Stadium for a meet and greet with team leaders.
For the first time this season, Principal Partner nib and Platinum Partner McDonald Jones Homes have extended their support for the Club’s elite teams to specifically include teams within the Junior Representative system.
nib Newcastle Knights and Wests Group Australia Chief Executive Officer Mr. Philip Gardner has praised the support provided to the Knights pathways program in 2023.
“For the first time in a long time our NRL and NRLW-level major partners have made the conscious choice to extend their support to the future of our club, our Junior Representative teams,” Mr. Gardner said.
“That doesn’t happen by accident, these great organisations have elected to invest in the next generation of Knights stars and in turn have their logos emblazoned on our Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale kit.
“That helps to generate a sense of belonging for our junior players as well as further solidifying the pathways that exist from the junior ranks, through to the elite.”
In addition to the SG Ball Cup captain Myles Martin, Tarsha Gale Cup forward Sophie Croker and Harold Matthews Cup captain Connor Votano, today’s event was also attended by Knights NRL co-captain Jayden Brailey, Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Forward Jacinta Carter, NSW Cup forward and recent NRL debutant Thomas Cant and Jersey Flegg Cup spearhead Fletcher Sharpe.
The move by nib and McDonald Jones Homes follows the lead of Hunter City Motor Group, which prioritised support for the Knights junior system when it signed on as a Knights partner 12 months ago.
Through its outlets across Newcastle and the Hunter, including in the Rugby League heartland of Cessnock, Hunter City Motor Group has been a long-term supporter of the game and this was a strategic priority for them when linking with the Knights.
The various Knights teams are also supported by NSW Mining, McDonald's, Palmerbet, the University of Newcastle and Allara Learning.
