Historic Venture Kicks Off
Friday, 16 November 2007 - Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights and Central Charlestown today announced a joint venture for the 2008 New South Wales Rugby League Premier League Competition.
Called the ‘Central Newcastle Knights’, the name has historical significance in the year of the Centenary of Rugby League, resembling Newcastle’s Foundation team of 1908.
“Not many people realise Newcastle is a foundation Rugby League Club and Central Newcastle was the name of the team that entered the competition early last century,” said Knights CEO, Steve Burraston.
“To have a side with the same name 100 years later is an historic milestone for Rugby League in Newcastle. We owe a lot to the real NRL and felt it is fitting and appropriate to use the original name.”
The joint venture will see the Newcastle Knights provide the majority of players, coaching staff and administration resources with the remainder of the team roster made up of players contracted to Central Charlestown.
“We thought this was a great opportunity for the Newcastle Knights to put something back into the community and help rebuild a local icon from the ground up,” said Mr Burraston.
“Central finished last in 2007 and has struggled for a number of years but with the support and resources we can offer, I believe this is will greatly benefit Central, the Newcastle Rugby League and the Knights.”
Central Charlestown Football Manager, Kim Lenox, said the initiative offers new opportunities for local Rugby League.
“This is an exciting day for us. It is a great opportunity to start rebuilding our Club and return it to its former glory.” she said.
“We are thrilled to be able to work with such a professional and powerful club as the Newcastle Knights. We look forward to being able to give our players, present and future, the opportunity to be involved with this venture.”
Newcastle Knights NRL assistant coach Rick Stone has been appointed head coach to establish the joint venture with Knights Old Boy, Jarrod O’Doherty his deputy.
A born and bred Novocastrian, Stone played at the elite level with South Sydney before carving a career in coaching with the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup Competition.
“Starting a side from scratch is a challenge but we have the resources to be successful,” Stone said.
“The calibre of players, in particular the Knights First Graders is a real drawcard and I think we’re on the right track to be a genuine force in the Premier League Competition.
Clive Churchill Medallist and former Knights legend, Robbie O’Davis will fill a conditioning and trainers position, bringing his valuable Rugby League experience to the venture.
Speaking at today’s launch, Knights Coach, Brian Smith said the Central Newcastle Knights will provide opportunities for local players to take the next step.
“This venture provides real opportunities for players that are too old to play in the National Youth Competition but still with the ability and ambition to pursue an NRL career,” Smith said.
“It’s also a chance for us to field players returning from injury in a competitive and professional competition against genuine NRL players.”
The New South Wales Rugby League has guaranteed matches will align with Knights home games at EnergyAustralia Stadium as often as possible. In the meantime Central are looking into alternative grounds for 2008 with redevelopment of a state of the art sports centre about to start at St John Oval, expected to be completed mid-way through the season.
The Central Newcastle Knights will display the same apparel sponsor as the Knights NRL squad with KooGa taking up the rear of jersey property. The remaining sponsorship opportunities and playing strip will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
