Ken Ryan has been rewarded for his loyalty as a Newcastle Knights Member winning a trip for two to Hamilton Island after attending more than 10 of the Newcastle Knights’ home games in 2015.
Ken, a Platinum Reserved Member, was drawn at random from the prize pool of eligible Members after only missing one home game this year.
Ken explains the exciting moment at the team’s final game at Hunter Stadium in Round 25 when he learned he was the winner of the expenses paid holiday.
“I was at the game and had hung around to watch Kurt’s send off and I heard the announcer say at the end of it that the Knights Members who have been to between 10 and 12 games were in the draw to win a trip to Hamilton Island,” Ken said.
“We were just getting ready to walk down the stairs and I said to my wife, ‘Oh look, I don’t win anything, let’s go home’ then all of a sudden he read my name out.
“I went ballistic, it was quite a surprise.
“It’s a very good promotion by the Knights.”
Ken says he’s been a Knights Member for six years and a supporter of the Club for much longer and tries his best to get to every game.
He attends the games with his wife Pam and two daughters as well as two of their family friends.
“We have six of us and sometimes another mate and his wife come occasionally.
"They are Rabbitohs supporters but when they do come, they come and barrack for the Knights,” he said.
“I like the atmosphere and the friendly people you meet at the games.”
Ken has always been a rugby league man and was involved in the game as a player with the Macquarie Scorpions.
“I’ve been in football all my life ever since I was 14 year old,” he said.
With a keen interest in the team and up and coming talent, he enjoys seeing the next NRL stars make their way through the ranks.
“I like young Mamo, he’s a pretty exciting player and a player of the future I think,” he said.
Ken is looking to take his Hamilton Island holiday sometime in March to celebrate his and his wife’s 47th wedding anniversary.
It will be the first time they’ve been to Hamilton Island, but Ken’s already heard good things about the Island’s golf courses.
As part of the prize, Ken and his chosen guest will be put up in the Reef View Hotel for five nights were they will enjoy a daily full buffet breakfast and will be treated to a Round of 18 holes of golf for two adults on Dent Island as well as a spa treatment for two adults.
The Newcastle Knights would like to thank promotion sponsors Hunter Stadium and Robert Oatley for their involvement.
