The nib Newcastle Knights have wrapped up another energetic and impactful School Blitz, connecting with thousands of young fans across the Newcastle, Hunter, Upper Hunter and New England regions.
Across the week-long community initiative, players and Game Development Officers (GDOs) hit the road to share the Club’s values, promote wellbeing, and inspire the next generation of rugby league supporters.
Covering an impressive 1,204 kilometres, the travelling squad of 22 NRL and NRLW players and 12 GDOs visited 21 schools, engaging directly with 5,725 students through interactive sessions, classroom conversations and footy-focused fun.
This year’s blitz centred around the Knights Inspire Program, a values-based initiative designed to empower students to become better people by embracing respect in their everyday lives.
Through interactive presentations and guided discussions led by Knights NRL and NRLW players, students explored what respect looks like in action - from strengthening relationships with others to understanding how small, positive choices can shape who they become.
Players shared personal experiences, answered questions, and encouraged students to reflect on how respect can be practised at school, at home, on the field, and in the wider community.
The response from students across all regions was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the importance of these conversations and the impact of hearing them directly from their sporting heroes.
It was cool to see the players and how happy everyone was to see them. It inspired me to be a better role model.
Felix Year 6 Student
The Club’s annual School Blitz continues to be a cornerstone of its community program, emphasising the Knights’ commitment to grassroots engagement and long-term investment in youth across northern NSW.
As the 2026 season approaches, the Knights look forward to building on the excitement and inspiration sparked throughout the blitz - recognising that the support and development of young fans remains at the heart of the Club’s identity.
