The strength of the nib Newcastle Knights pathways system will be on full display this weekend, with four junior representative sides earning a place in their respective preliminary finals.
Across both the male and female programs, the SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale teams have each progressed to within one win of a Grand Final berth - a significant milestone for the club and the wider region.
Saturday’s action kicks off at Henson Park, where the SG Ball side will face Manly at 1:00pm.
Later that evening, the Harold Matthews team will take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Leichhardt Oval, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30pm.
On Sunday, Leichhardt Oval again hosts a double-header, with the Lisa Fiaola squad meeting the Central Coast Roosters at 1:00pm, followed by the Tarsha Gale side facing the Cronulla Sharks at 2:30pm.
nib Newcastle Knights Director of Football Chris James said the achievement reflects the club’s continued commitment to developing local talent and building depth across all pathways programs.
“We are incredibly proud of all four grades playing for a grand final berth this coming weekend,” James said.
“It’s a strong reflection of the investment we’ve made in coaching, high-performance support and the ongoing development of our players across the region.
“To have representation across both male and female competitions at this stage of the season speaks to the consistency of our pathways and the standards being set right across the program.”
James also highlighted the significance of the achievement for the broader Newcastle and Hunter region, noting the opportunity it presents for young players to inspire the next generation.
“This is something the entire region can be proud of,” he said.
“Our pathways system is built on giving local players a genuine opportunity to progress, and to see so many of them now competing on the big stage is a great reward for the players, their families and their coaches.
“It also sends a strong message about what’s possible here in Newcastle - that young athletes, both boys and girls, can come through our system and compete at the highest level.”
