The Newcastle Knights celebrated the start of the 2014 season in true style on Friday at the Club’s Corporate Season Launch.
The gala event at Merewether Surfhouse saw the official introduction of the 2014 playing squad and featured addresses from CEO Matt Gidley and Coach Wayne Bennett in the company of the Club’s valued sponsors and corporate partners.
The launch was an opportunity for the Knights to acknowledge its off-field support and celebrate the start of the 2014 season.
Gidley opened proceedings painting a positive picture of the season to come on the back of last year’s top four result.
“We’ve built some genuine belief in the way we finished last season,” he said
“I think our players and everyone in our club should believe we can now go that one step further."
Gidley said the Club’s sponsors and corporate partnerships are exceptionally strong and provide wonderful support.
“Our Club is the top four across the game in the commercial aspect of the business and that’s wonderful,” he added.
“For a regional Club, that’s a great positive and something we need to promote more.
“Sponsorship, home crowds and Membership is something that we’re conscious of and we look forward to that support growing throughout the course of the year.
“The Club’s in great shape and we’re looking forward to the season."
Wayne Bennett also spoke about his expectations of the 2014 season and the hard work invested during pre-season that has put the Knights in good stead for next weekend’s game.
A highlight of the event was the official presentation of the team’s six 2014 playing jerseys.
The home, away and Auckland Nines jerseys plus special edition Women in League, Indigenous and High Viz Mining jersey (officially launched today) were modelled by players and seen publicly for the first time together.
Players also presented jersey sponsors with their Knights jersey and thanked the businesses for their backing.
Sponsors enjoyed the chance at the launch to mingle with the players, to gain insight into the upcoming season and to celebrate their relationship with the Club.
The day also marked the official end to pre-season training for players before they run out to play Penrith Panthers on Saturday March 8 at Sportingbet Stadium.
