On Thursday, June 5, the nib Newcastle Knights will proudly celebrate Community Round as we take on the Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium.
This special round is all about recognising and thanking the people and partners who help make our Club stronger: our grassroots clubs, partners, local legends, charities, and the incredible Newcastle and Hunter community.
The game day experience will feature a number of community-led activations and moments designed to uplift, recognise, and engage.
May Charity of the Month: Jenny's Place
One of the highlights will be a special All Abilities dance performance, thanks to McDonalds, where local performers will light up the field in a celebration of inclusion and talent, alongside our youngest footballers taking part in the McDonalds Mini league pre-game.
Adding to the excitement will be the HJRL Half-Time Relay brought to you by Bryden’s Lawyers, featuring 66 junior players from right across the Hunter region – two from every local club – as they take to the field for a race that brings the grassroots game to centre stage.
Members and fans can look forward to player video messages on the big screen, sharing thanks to the community that stands behind them every week.
The ‘Club of the Month’ will also be recognised during the game, highlighting the incredible efforts of one junior club making a real difference at the grassroots level.
In a major community health push, the Knights are teaming up with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) to raise awareness of heart disease – the leading cause of death in Australia.
Heart disease claims 118 lives every day, and high blood pressure – often symptomless – is one of the biggest culprits. HMRI will be on-site in the Fan Zone, offering free blood pressure checks, heart health tips, and even interactive Blaze Pod reaction games for kids.
The Knights will shine a light on local charity, Emma’s Warriors. This local organisation provides support to families navigating the challenges of serious illness in children.
Raising both funds and awareness on game day, Emma’s Warriors will be raising funds through the 5050 Charity Raffle.
Thanks to GEMA Group, the Knights will also deliver a special ‘surprise and delight’ moment for a local community group, including sideline access to watch the warm-up, a Knights item, and a ‘Goodie Bag’ to enjoy the footy.
