This is more than a round to Josh King.
If there’s one person who knows what mining in the Hunter means, it’s the nib Newcastle Knights forward.
King has had a connection to mining his entire life.
It’s in his blood.
He used to work alongside his father in the mines.
In fact, his father still works there.
In 2016, King’s debut season, the Singleton local had to juggle full-time work in the mines, studying at TAFE and training with the Knights.
King learns mining rehabilitation
The 22-year-old’s dedication to his work, study and football was admired by all and continues to impress coach Nathan Brown, playing 40 NRL games for the Knights in three seasons.
“My dad still works in the mines,” King said.
“He’s always down and he’s always been one of my biggest supporters all along as well.
“Just like mum, he was driving me around the countryside and coming out to watch me play and helping me through school.”
King was a former electrical apprentice in the Bulga coal mines.
He worked on his trade for three-years and understands the importance of mining to the Hunter region.
“Being from the hunter and being from Singleton, a mining town which is pretty much built around mining, it is a pretty important day for me,” King added.
“I feel like mining is the heart of the hunter.
“It’s important to come out and play for the community, and working in the mines myself, it gives me a little more passion to play.”
The Knights partner with NSW Mining for the seventh year in-a-row, throwing their support behind Voice for Mining.
Last season, 18,000 members and fans came out to support the Round and with the team set to don the high-vis mining-themed jerseys again, they’ll be hoping for yet another healthy crowd.
