Newcastle Knights stay true to working class mining roots

NEWCASTLE officially unveil a new-look jumper featuring fluro-orange, the colours worn by working class miners.

IN tense moments while playing big games for Newcastle, former skipper Paul Harragon would remind flagging team-mates they were proud sons of coal miners.

It was the motivation that lifted a team - and a region.

The strong bond between rugby league and the Hunter mines will only intensify on Friday when Newcastle officially unveil a new-look jumper featuring fluro-orange, the colours worn by working class miners.

The Daily Telegraph obtained first look at the jersey, which features orange, white and the traditional blue.

News_Image_File: Knight's half back Tyrone Roberts shows off the new mining strip. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

The jersey is part of a sponsorship the club has obtained with the NSW Mining Council. Knights players will wear the jersey twice a year for the next two seasons.

More than 12,000 mine workers and their families live and work in the Hunter region.

The jumper will be worn at one home game and another match against a yet-to-be-named Sydney-based opponent.

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Newcastle CEO Matt Gidley said mining has prospered in the Hunter for 200 years.

‘’Mining in the Hunter is a community-based industry and has been for over two centuries,’’ Gidley said.

‘’It provides an income for thousands of families who live in and contribute to their local community up and down the Valley.

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‘’I clearly remember Paul Harragon rallying the boys on many occasions over the years, reminding us that we were the proud sons of coal miners and that motivated our group to challenge any team.

‘’The Knights have a proud connection to local mining in the Hunter. Over the years many of our players or their families have worked in the industry and continue to do so.’’

Newcastle star Tyrone Roberts this week modelled the new jumper.

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Roberts has become a vital player this season following the injury to regular playmaker Jarrod Mullen in the Auckland Nines.

‘’This new jersey will resonate with thousands of local miners and their families who work in the mining industry, in the Hunter and in Sydney,’’ said NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee.

‘’Mining has had a tough 18 months but the industry has strong community support, particularly in the Hunter, and this new jersey will be a great rallying point for our hard working miners and their families.

‘’We hope it will encourage more people to make their voices heard in support of local mining workers, to show that that local mining jobs really matter to the Hunter.’’