The Newcastle Knights receive a lot of great feedback for the time they spend in the community and would like to share with you some of these stories.
Mai-Wel would very much like you to pass on our appreciation to the administration of the Newcastle Knights who generously offered tickets to Mai-Wel and other disability providers in the Hunter area. The tickets to attend the Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks game on Sunday 5th May and Knights merchandise ensured that the people attending had not only a great view of the game but also felt very much included by proudly wearing their Knights caps. Donations such as these are greatly appreciated by Mai-Wel as we strive to offer our supported employees and clients experiences the general public take for granted.
Pennie Kearney
CEO, The Mai-Wel Group
My name is Mrs Jessica Smit, I'm currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House Newcastle with my 14month old son who sadly has been diagnosed with cancer, he is half way through treatment, I wanted to send out a huge thankyou to three of your players that put a smile on my son and my families face while they were here for the Donor Day last night. If you could please pass on my sincere thanks, to Jeremy Smith, Tyrone Roberts & a special thanks to Akuila Uate !! He took the time out to spend a few moments playing with my baby it was the most lovely thing, we are going through the most darkest days of our lives and something that may be little to them is HUGE for us, they were happy to sign out babies shirt without a problem, it's a credit to them all and although I don't know them personally I'm so very proud of them all. They may not remember me but I'm sure they will remember my 14month Xan !!! I really hope this message finds them, May God bless them all, keep up the great work on and off the field and good luck for a wonderful season !!! Regards Jessica Smit !!!
Jessica Smit
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Kurt Gidley for making a special visit to my son Joe while he in hospital. Kurt is Joe's idol and it has made his year !
I know Kurt must have lots going on but we are so thankful to him for making Joe smile :-)
Kristy Lumsden
Our thanks go to Jeremy Smith and the Knights for the contribution made when he visited Wagga last week.
Ross Kennedy described very well below the reception Jeremy received wherever he went. On the day we visited 4 high schools, each with a very different agenda and he responded professionally in all situations without being that clichéd, starchy athlete we’ve so often rolled out to the public. I believe his natural, easy going manner will set more kids on the right path than the media produced clones we’ve become used to.
He also conducted a WIN news interview and ABC Grandstand interview along with a newspaper photo session. The Knights can be proud of this new recruit.
David Skinner
Bidgee Region Manager, CRLNSW
My name is Duncan Griffiths, and my fiancee (Ashley) and I have recently lost our first child to SIDS.
My brother in-law (Dayne) managed to get a hold of some tickets to the 'Sydney 500' in the Wes Trac, pit area.
He noticed Kurt Gidley was around, and knowing that I am quite a big Knights fan, approached him for an autograph for me.
Dayne explained to Kurt a little bit of what had just happened.
Kurt signed a Wes Trac hat and a programme, with the message: "stay strong mate".
Dayne told me of the genuine interest and sadness, Kurt showed during their short conversation.
Ashley and I are from Sydney, but have recently visited the SIDS Hunter office in South Hamilton.
We got plenty of help from the team of ladies there, and also spoke of the great work that the Knights do for SIDS, in particular on 'Red Nose Day' in 2012.
Akuila and his cupcakes were a big talking point. Also was, how good 'Big Willie' is with the kids.
We will more than likely be making the trip up the F3, if the Knights are involved in the 2013 'Red Nose Day' celebrations.
I guess I just wanted to send an email, to let the club know that the gesture from Kurt means a lot to Ashley and I. It lifted our spirits when we got what Dayne had given us.
We are over-the-moon to know that SIDS is being recognised by the NRL, in particular the Knights.
Supporting those who have suffered, but also creating awareness for others is so important. The more the Knights do, the better off Australian families will be.
Thanks to everyone at the Knights, and keep up the good work.
Here's to a big season on the field...
Regards,
Duncan Griffiths
I just wanted to sent a big thank you your way for helping me with Rugby League in our school this year. Through the Backyard League series and the mentoring program as well as helping me with starting a League team to enter in the Knights Knockout and Jarrod Mullen Cup for the first time, your support has been tremendous.
Our kids have thoroughly enjoyed all the league experiences we have been able to offer them this year. The footy for each student was an amazing and unexpected bonus. The kids have kicked and played and passed until they have been red in the face. This has only been able to be achieved through your assistance.
Thank you from MayWest School and its teachers
Sports Co-Ordinator, Mayfield West Demonstration School
We as a Club would like to express our thanks to you for all your support and effort you have made to assist us to continue to make available junior football to our children.
We thank you for all the opportunities that you have given us throughout this year and look forward to working with you throughout the future of our Club.
Lindy Hunt
Club Secretary, Dungog Football Club
I would like to express my gratitude for allowing Robbie to present at Maitland Grossmann High School’s Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. Robbie is an ex-students from the school and he is an exemplar example of the values that the school promotes to all students.
Robbie was able to communicate to the students the benefits of working towards their goals and that following school, life can be more difficult and can require greater commitment and perseverance. Robbie was able to communicate this very important message to our students in a very accessible and highly effective manner.
It is important for schools to access community organisations and build partnerships which can be mutually beneficial. I would like to again thank the Newcastle Knights for enabling our partnership to continue to develop.
Lyne Matthews
Year 12 Advisor Maitland Grossmann High School
On behalf of Beresfield Public School I would like to thank you for organising 2 fabulous gala days. The boys really enjoyed themselves as did the parents and myself. I can't get over how smoothly they both ran! Again thank you and we will see you next year.
Also thank you for the tickets - the boys loved it - 42 out of the 50 tickets were used so it was a great day.
Jacqui Jones
Class Teacher Beresfield Public School
We sincerely thank you got getting us free tickets to the Knights v Rabbitohs game. Everyone has a fantastic time even though the Knights fans were disappointed, they were thrilled to meet Ben. Thank you from all your friends at GS Kidd Memorial School.
Shane Turpin
Relieving Principal GS Kidd School
On behalf of the Dunedoo Junior Rugby League Club, we would like to thank you sincerely, for organising the tickets for the under 8's team to attend the Newcastle Knights versus South Sydney Rabbitohs game.
The under 8's boys left Dunedoo at 10am on Friday, and travelled to Newcastle on a bus for the game with their fathers, making a stop at Newcastle Beach, where they played a game of beach footy. The timing couldn't have been more perfect when five fighter jets flew over. This was the first visit to the beach for one of the boys and they all loved running around on the sand and jumping in the waves.
We arrived at the ground at half-past four, everyone eager to get into the ground and see their football idols. The boys danced to the band outside the ground and had a few photos taken.
They all enjoyed the atmosphere and the game immensely. It was a shame that Newcastle were beaten, but it was still a thrill for the young boys to see such great skill in the game they love.
Arriving back in Dunedoo at 3.30am on Saturday morning, everyone was ready for bed before getting up to travel to Gulgong on Saturday morning where the under 8's had to play their last two games. With all of the players turning up on a high, they knuckled down, ready to show off their newly learned skills. The boys won both their games.
Thank you very much from all of the boys and their families for such a great experience. You don't know how much it means for kids from the bush to be able to see the players that they idolise on T.V, in the flesh.
Thank you again.
Matthew Guan -
Under 8's Coach and Dunedoo Junior Rugby League Coordinator
On behalf of the Aboriginal Team at Cessnock High School we would like to thank you for your support and sending David Newham to join in on our NAIDOC Day Celebration. We have a great deal of respect for David as he has a great repore with our students some of which have known him for while so it was good for them to see him again.So I thank you once again for letting David come to our school.
Kerrie Roberts
Aboriginal Education Worker
Cessnock High School
Could never thankyou enough for your kind donation. The photo's speak for themselves. GO THE KNIGHTS. Thankyou again
Paula Milgate
Hunter New England Health
I am writing you this E-mail as I had the opportunity with my husband and son to be down in the Tunnel at ANZ stadium after the Knights and Rabbitohs game. I can not praise the Players of the Knights enough. I know that the team suffered a loss but were still happy to spend time with my son and us signing his jersey and having a chat. You hear things in the media about players and there attitudes but you very rarely hear about the good stuff. Willie Mason was so very different than what the media has portrayed him as in the past. He is the most friendly and nice person. He came out and made my son feel really special and later when the whole team came out he made sure that every player stopped and signed my sons shirt. Getting a photo with him as well was no trouble. Danny Buderus also spent time asking my son questions and having a chat. Aquila was happy to have a photo and chat as well. Kurt Gidley even though he was not playing was happy to give us some of his time. Mr Bennett was the same.The whole team really was fantastic.
I had the opportunity to meet Paul Harragon and some of the team 14 years ago and had the same experience. I think the club should congratulate themselves on having such a wonderful team that to me has always been happy to have a chat with there fans and appreciate them so much.
The Knights make me proud to be a supporter of the club and Rugby League in general. They made my sons day he was still shell shocked the next morning and still could not believe that he had met the team and that they had talked to him. They promised him a win the following week and he was smiling ever so proudly last night thinking the Knights had won just for him.
The Asbury Family
Just wanted to thank you once again for helping us to raise funds to help kids with autism by donating a signed Newcastle Knights jersey for the auction at our “Evening with Roy & HG with Special Guest Wayne Bennett” fundraiser, which we held on Tuesday night at Wests New Lambton. The event was a huge success and we raised an amazing $70K net. This is a fabulous result, beyond our expectations.
Wayne Bennett was really well received as our special guest on the night. He also donated a signed book which we auctioned with the jersey and raised $2,000. The bidding was quite spirited and the under bidder was so keen to have the jersey and book that he has offered to also give $2000 to our cause. I have spoken to Wayne and he is willing to donate the book. All funds are going to help us to finish our early intervention centre for kids with autism on the site of our new school in Thornton, so you will be helping lots of local kids and their families
Sarah Pieters
Autism Spectrum Australia
On behalf of the Kendall Blues Rugby League Club may I please applaud your players Kurt Gidley and Ryan Stig and representative and former player and legend, Paul Harragon on their recent visit to a Blues home game. The juniors who attended on the day (not the numbers we would have liked but we are not able to control the weather) were absolutely thrilled and no doubt the talk of all the local schools on the first day back will be "guess who I met over the holidays". I also noted that many of those who used to be juniors but aren't anymore were also delighted to meet your representatives.
They have made a huge impact locally and shown the truly great face of Rugby League.
NRL players don't always get positive press but in this case your players were champions off the field as well as on. We could not speak highly enough of the way in which they conducted themselves and would welcome them back with open arms whenever they chose to visit us.
Margot McLennan and Warren McLennan
Kendall Blues RLF Club
“We would like to express our enormous gratitude for your generous donation of 30 hats & 30 scarfs.”
Gemma Campton
We Help Ourselves Hunter Valley
“On behalf of Camp Quality and Committee I would like to thank you so much for your generous donation of the Knights Charity Box for our recent Giggle Ball.”
Donna George
Camp Quality
“I wish to extend my warmest thanks to you for supporting us through our Winter Appeal Launch. I’d also like to thank you for allowing us to use the Charity Box at your home game for the coming weekend.”
Kristy Gatamah
Samaritans
“Thank you for your wonderful posters my clients were so thrilled with the fact that they were signed we fully appreciate your doing this for them on behalf of Ability Options”
Lorraine Thomas
Ability Options