This week the nib Newcastle visited 11 Junior League Clubs in the local areas as part of the Club's fifth annual 'Back to Juniors' program.
The 'Back to the Juniors' initiative is a great way for the Knights to give back to Junior Clubs and thank their young fans by paying them a visit during their weekly training session.
Junior League players had the opportunity to train alongside the NRL stars and left with plenty of photos and signatures.
"This initiative is vitally important to junior Rugby League clubs in and around Newcastle," Lyndon Sheppard NRL Game Development Officer – Central Hunter NSW
"Evenings such as this one not only connects the Knights to the community but it shows the aspiring young footballers that there is a local pathway.
"It shows both the players and Club care about the local community.
"Local products such as Sione Mata'utia, Sam Stone, Cory Denniss, Brodie Jones, Brock Lamb, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Pat Mata'utia, Luke Yates heading back to their respective junior clubs.
"The players genuinely enjoyed it just as much as the kids did."
In 2018 the following clubs received a visit:
Belmont North JRLFC, Dudley Redhead JRLFC, Cardiff Cougars JRLC, Wangi Warriors JRLFC, Central Charlestown JRLFC, Mallabula Panthers JRLFC, Glendale Gorilla's, Lakes United Seagulls JRLFC, Nelson Bay JRL, West Newcastle JRLC and Windale JRLC.
The Knights would like to thank the 11 Clubs for taking part this week.
We can't wait to do it all again in 2019.
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