League fans will be able to cheer on two great teams - the Newcastle Knights and NSW miners - at the second Voice for Mining Family Day at Hunter Stadium on 8 June when the Knights take on the Wests Tigers.
Around 5,000 miners and their families along with suppliers and supporters of the industry are expected to pack the stadium and help Newcastle Knights fans make this one of the biggest Hunter Stadium crowds in 2014.
The team will take the field in a special high-vis replica miners jersey at Voice for Mining Family Day in support of the region’s miners and to celebrate all that mining brings to the Hunter region and state. Knights fans are getting behind the concept too with many already buying their own high-vis miners jersey to wear to the game.
The connection between the Hunter’s coal miners and the Knights is as strong as ever, demonstrated in a series of new videos released today featuring former Knights players, now coal miners, Bill Peden and Steve Simpson, and Knights captain Kurt Gidley whose father has been driving Hunter coal trains for nearly 40 years.
“This partnership with NSW Mining is really important to us. The mining industry is huge in the Hunter region, and rugby league is also really important to the people of the Hunter, so I think it’s a great fit,” Gidley said.
The Newcastle Knights and the NSW Minerals Council today launched the 2014 event along with a brand new website challenging footy fans and miners to pick their greatest Knights line-up ever.
Fans can challenge their mates, colleagues, and a panel of experts, to select the best ever blue and red dream team (or even high-vis orange and blue). Fans who take part go into the running to win a ‘money can’t buy’ experience - travelling with the NRL squad to Sydney, staying in the team hotel and watching an NRL game from the coach’s box. Enter now on Facebook or at www.worldclassminers.com.au.
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said Voice for Mining Family Day would be a fun and positive event for the Newcastle and Hunter community, especially the 12,000 mine workers and their families who live in the Hunter and love their footy.
“This is an opportunity for fans to stand up in support of two great teams - the Knights and our miners - both integral to the local community,” he said.
“We all love wearing our team colours and that’s why we’re encouraging miners and their families and supporters of mining to wear orange and high-vis workwear to the game. Knights fans can also pick up a free high-vis vest at the ground to wear during the game to show their support for local mining families and the Knights.
“A strong mining industry means a strong economy and more jobs for workers and their families across Newcastle and the Hunter. So if we want a strong Hunter economy, let’s show our support for the Newcastle Knights and our Hunter miners at the Voice for Mining Family Day.”
