The NSW Minerals Council and the Newcastle Knights have signed a new agreement for the mining industry to continue as a major sponsor of the NRL club for three more years.
And players will wear a special anniversary edition of the now-famous hi-vis mining jersey in 2022 to mark 10 years together.
Since 2013 the partnership has highlighted the proud work of tens of thousands of NSW mining families. They’ve been celebrated at the annual Voice for Mining Family Day along with all the good things mining brings to NSW, from jobs and spending with thousands of local businesses to royalties that have helped pay for schools, hospitals and emergency services.
The Newcastle Knights men's team will wear the special anniversary edition hi-vis mining jersey in Round 21 action against the Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The new jersey was revealed at a special event today with current and former Newcastle Knights players, mining industry leaders and mine workers from across the region. The jersey has been immortilised in a new series of player illustrations by a graphic designer who has worked with English Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Manchester City.
Like this year’s home and away jerseys, the 2022 hi-vis mining jersey features a navy chevron on the chest to closely connect this special jersey to the club’s modern armour for a new era. Topographical lines are sublimated in the navy chevron to represent mining operations and mining communities they support.
And a new patch on the back of the jersey references a range of metals and minerals mined in NSW, including gold, copper, silver, zinc, nickel, coking coal for making steel and our high-quality low-emissions thermal coal for electricity.
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said this partnership means so much to mining families and communities across NSW.
“The first Voice for Mining Family Day was held in 2013 and it has grown every year. Our mining families love seeing the Knights in the high-vis jersey and they’re proud of what it represents,” he said.
“Over the past decade tens of thousands of mineworkers and Knights fans have celebrated together at our annual Voice for Mining Day and we are excited to once again see the team light up McDonald Jones Stadium in the new hi-vis mining jersey in August.
“The connection between the club and our industry remains strong. Many current and former players have worked in mining, including Phoebe Desmond and Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce in the NRLW and Billy Peden, Steve Simpson, Adam Muir, Tony Butterfield, Josh King, Nathan Ross and more in the NRL.
“We’ve stuck together through over the last decade, including during some tough times. Now we’re looking forward to future success together and a new era for mining and Rugby League in the Hunter.”
Newcastle Knights CEO Philip Gardner said the NSW Minerals Council’s continued commitment to the club’s men's and women's teams cemented one of the strongest partnerships in the game.
“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,” Mr Gardner said.
“As a major sponsor of our men's team and a foundation sponsor of the women's team, the NSW Minerals Council is integral to supporting our players, our administration and our community.
“And this new jersey is so exciting, respecting the history of our colours and the people that wear hi-vis while connecting up with our 2022 kit and our modern armour for a new era.
“We hope our fans love it as much as we do. And for the first time since 2018, Newcastle Knights fans and mineworkers across NSW will be able to buy this special anniversary edition hi-vis mining jersey to get behind the team and celebrate the good things mining brings to NSW.”