The Newcastle Knights will run onto the field in a brand new fluro-orange ‘clash’ jersey, styled like a miners hi-viz uniform, when they play against two popular Sydney teams during the 2014 NRL season.
The Knights are launching the new hi-viz jersey as part of a new two-year partnership with the NSW Minerals Council. The Newcastle Knights designed the new jersey to show their support for the 12,000 mine workers and their families who live and work in the Hunter and love their footy.
The new jersey features the NSW Mining logo and fans will be able to pre-purchase from the Hunter Sports Superstore or at the Knights online Superstore.
The jersey will be worn at one home game and one Sydney game, so this year, when fans and mining workers wear high-viz gear to the ground to support Hunter miners, they’ll also be wearing their team’s colours for the day!
Newcastle Knights CEO Matt Gidley said mining has been synonymous with the Hunter for over 200 years and the Knights were pleased to support local miners, especially since many current and former Knights players have been or are currently involved in the mining industry.
“Mining in the Hunter is a community based industry and has been for over two centuries,” Mr Gidley said.
“It provides an income for thousands of families who live in and contribute to their local community up and down the Valley.
“The Knights have a proud connection to local mining in the Hunter. Over the years many of our players or their families have worked in the industry and continue to do so.
“I clearly remember Paul Harragon rallying the boys on many occasions over the years, reminding us that we were the proud sons of coal miners and that motivated our group to challenge any team.
“Our Club is pleased to show our support for the Hunter mining workers and their families with this great new jersey.”
NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said that with the Knights proudly showing their mining colours, he hoped local miners would do the same.
“This new jersey will resonate with thousands of local miners and their families who work in the mining industry, in the Hunter and in Sydney,” Mr Galilee said.
“Mining has had a tough 18 months but the industry has strong community support, particularly in the Hunter, and this new jersey will be a great rallying point for our hard working miners and their families.
"We hope it will encourage more people to make their voices heard in support of local mining workers, to show that that local mining jobs really matter to the Hunter."
The mining jersey is available for pre-purchase now.
Mens jersey - Click Here.
Ladies jersey - Click Here.