Patrons knighted

Three leading Hills politicians have been named to the Hills Knights FC’s inaugural board of patrons.

Jason Isherwood, Peter Schier, Jay Marshall, Greg Bendeich and Anne Paredes from the Hills Knights executive committee with (front) the inaugural board of patrons Mitchell federal Liberal MP Alex Hawke and his son Jack, Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott and Hills Shire Councillor Dr Michelle Byrne. Picture: Supplied

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Three leading Hills politicians have been named to the Hills Knights FC’s inaugural board of patrons.

Mitchell federal Liberal MP Alex Hawke, Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott and Hills Shire councillor Dr Michelle Byrne were appointed to the Knights’ board of patrons on Sunday.

Knights president Jay Marshall said the board would provide support and guidance to the club and he expected they would meet once or twice per year with the executive team.

The Knights fielded its first team in 1974 and has grown to about 900 players, doubling in size in the past four years.

Mr Hawke said he was “honoured” to have been asked to be a patron of the Knights, one of the foundation clubs of the new Hills Football Association.

“Football is a great sport that allows every family member to be involved and its continued growth in the Hills district is a testament to the hard work of committee members, players and families,” he said.

Mr Elliott said he was “delighted to be invited by the Hills Knights to be a part of the forward planning of our local sporting future”.

“Football is among the fastest growing sports in Australia, and it is important we ensure long term decisions are made for the betterment of future generations of footballers as well as our current generation,” he said.

Cr Byrne said it was an “honour to be appointed as a patron to the Hills Knights”.

“I look forward to working with the club to ensure it remains a strong and active part of our community,” she said.