Mitchell Pearce: Newcastle Knights captain talks about his upcoming wedding and Christmas

The Knights skipper talks candidly with The Newcastle News about all things wedding, Christmas, business and even kids — not to forget a little bit of footy.

Knights skipper Mitchell Pearce in action. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

In a little over a week Newcastle Knights captain Mitchell Pearce will become a married man.

He put a ring on it in April, soon to wed fiance Kristin Scott — a professional dancer from Wollongong — in the picturesque and often celebrity-hangout of Bryon Bay.

The 31-year-old might have just gone back to pre-season training before the Christmas break, with a whole new younger look Knights outfit, but he’s been busy off the field preparing for one of the biggest events of his life.

And like many future grooms, he’s put his soon-to-be wife in the driver’s seat for this one.

“I’ve tried to assist a bit and I have, but she’s a lot better at that stuff than me,” Pearce laughed.

“I can’t say it has evened out, she’s probably done about 80 per cent.

“There’s so many things, we both can’t believe how many things just don’t stop coming all the way up to the day, it’s just constant.

“It can be a little bit stressful but it will also be the best time of our life and I can’t wait.”

With a wedding guest list of just under 150 people, the Knights’ skipper can’t wait to marry the girl of his dreams in front of family and close friends.

With COVID ruining all chance for an overseas honeymoon, the couple will get to unwind as newlyweds in Byron. Not a bad place to be at all.

“Can’t get too many better places than Byron in Australia at the moment,” Pearce added.

However, one thing they’ll have to navigate first, is Christmas in Newcastle.

Pearce inviting the family to spend the festive day at his place, just as long as they don’t expect too much.

“Christmas here at the house so hopefully they bring their own food because I can’t cook,” Pearce laughed.

“We both cook a bit, but with around 20 people here I’m going to make sure we get some Uber Eats.

But put aside the wedding preparations and Christmas celebrations, the soon-to-be husband and wife have also been hard at work with a new business venture.

Newcastle Knight Mitchell Pearce and fiance Kristin Scott at their new Barre Effect studio in Hunter street. Supplied.

Barre Effect in Newcastle’s Hunter St is a new edition to the Pearce portfolio.

Opened in October, the new dance/fitness studio is the brainchild of Scott, who grew up doing ballet, Physie and competing in national dance competitions before working as a performing arts school dance teacher.

“Kristin is doing all the classes, she’s the one who has set up all the programs, she’s been amazing with it, just supporting her like she does me with the footy,” Pearce said.

“She’s a really smart girl and she has put a lot of effort into it, I’m really proud.”

With a large barre presence in Sydney and overseas, the new business is progressing nicely, as it continues to take on new clients each week.

“We want to keep expanding it and we also want to attract both males and females, it’s mainly female based now,” he said.

“It’s in a great spot next to the air locker gym so plenty of people are in and around, it’s a great environment.”

Described as an aerobic kind of pilates, it helps to strengthen your core and balance, with beginner and advanced classes on offer.

Perfect for some future training with the Knights’ lads.

Pearce is looking forward to a fresh look Knights next season. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“The classes go for about 45 minutes, try and get the boys in for a few recovery sessions during the year,” he added.

And he might need an extra set of skills with a fresh new Knights crew on the paddock for next year.

The club losing some of the veterans of the game.

“Fair young crew there at moment after the exit of some older blokes like Aidan Guerra, Tim Glasby and losing guys like Sione (Mata’utia), Tau Tau Moga, Mason Lino and Herman Ese’ese,” Pearce said.

“You take nine or so of those guys out, it’s going to be a bit of a different vibe with a lot of younger guys come through.

“We get all rep boys after Christmas and we’ve got a really strong crew to give it a bit of shape this year.”

The big question though on a lot of people’s lips, will there be the pitter patter on little feet in the future for Pearce and Scott?

Well not quite yet..... the Knights captain content to enjoy married life before starting a family.

“I’d love to have kids but we’re just enjoying the ride at the moment,” Pearce said.

“Look forward to the wedding and I’m sure we’ll have kids at one point.”