20 May 2010
Knights take on Cessnock fans
The Newcastle Knights are gearing up for their first encounter in 2010 with Cessnock rugby league fans when the entire first-grade team arrives in town next week for a free special community event.
The occasion will mark the first time the team has come to Cessnock for one of its Community Alliance 'blitz' events, which are co-hosted with partner Coal & Allied.
The Cessnock Community Alliance Blitz is being held on Tuesday 25 May 2010 at the Cessnock Football Ground - Baddeley Park from 4pm to 7pm.
It will involve a number of fun activities for the whole family including watching the Knights train, playing touch football with the team, getting photos and autographs with the players, a Knights rugby league development clinic for six to 13 year olds, giveaways, food, refreshments, and a host of other activities during the afternoon.
The town will also be recognised as an important community for rugby league with the team and Coal & Allied making a special presentation to the Mayor of Cessnock Councillor Alison Davey.
Newcastle Knights CEO Steve Burraston said the club is looking forward to launching this year's first Community Alliance blitz in Cessnock.
"We are pleased to be breaking new ground this year and visiting Cessnock for the first time through the Alliance, which proves just how much it has grown and developed since it began in 2008," Mr Burraston said.
"We know this is a very passionate rugby league community, which also has a lot of talent in its ranks and we are expecting a strong crowd to attend.
"While our goal on the field is to win games, our goal through the Community Alliance is to make a difference to the lives of the people in the Hunter Valley.
"Our players are involved in a number of initiatives including supporting educational programs in schools, Indigenous student mentoring, community events, junior football clinics, and health and wellness programs.
"The Cessnock blitz is gearing up to be another great event and we look forward to meeting as many fans as possible."
Coal & Allied General Manager External Relations Fiona Nicholls said the Community Alliance is a partnership between two iconic Hunter Valley brands that enables Coal & Allied and the Knights to work together and provide a range of benefits to the region.
"Our Community Alliance with the Newcastle Knights is not just about sponsoring a football club but it's about building and strengthening our relationship with the communities in which we operate," Ms Nicholls said.
"We have a long history and affiliation with the people living in the Hunter Valley and our Community Alliance with the Knights is one of the ways that we are able to connect and engage with these communities, which is also home to many of our employees.
"The Alliance also creates opportunities where we can build capacity in these towns and work towards building strong and sustainable communities to live, work, and play.
"I encourage the people of Cessnock to bring their families along for what will be a great evening of fun and entertainment for the whole community."
ENDS
Media contacts:
Newcastle Knights - Frank Barrett 0439 535 055
Coal & Allied - Matthew Klar 07 3029 1168 / 0457 525 578.