The Qantas Challenge, which saw the Newcastle Jets host international superstar, David Beckham and the LA Galaxy for an exhibition match, was recognised for its international profile and the positive economic impact on the region’s tourism industry.

Newcastle Jets Business and Football Development Manager, Michael Bridges and Eclipse Media, Events and PR Managing Director, Tracy Kearney accepted the award, thanking members of the corporate, government and tourism sectors for their support in making The Qantas Challenge an international success.

“I’m honoured to accept this award on behalf of the Hunter Sports Group. It was a privilege to introduce David Beckham, Landon Donovan and the LA Galaxy players to our region,” Mr Bridges said.

“It was wonderful to see the city of Newcastle come to life during their stay and the Newcastle Jets were thrilled to play against David and some of football’s greatest athletes.”

Ms Kearney reflected on the once in a lifetime experience and thanked the Hunter Sports Group for the opportunity to attract international attention to Newcastle and the Hunter.

“Through the Hunter Sports Group’s professionalism and foresight we had the opportunity to prove Newcastle and the Hunter’s capability to host major events of international significance,” Ms Kearney said.

“We sincerely thank the Hunter Sports Group for delivering a world class event of this magnitude to our city for the community’s enjoyment.”

The Hunter Sports Group and Eclipse Media, Events and PR will now represent the region as a finalist in the State Tourism Awards.

The Hunter Sports Group (HSG) has today completed its acquisition of the Newcastle Knights.

The acquisition, which includes a $20 million bank guarantee and payment of the Club’s liabilities which were in excess of $6 million, has been completed 5 days ahead of the revised August 10, 2011, deadline.

The complex transaction included the transfer of all contracts and agreements to the new entity, while the vast majority of the club’s liabilities, including its tax bill, have now been settled.

HSG CEO Troy Palmer is pleased all speculation over the acquisition had finished and the only thing left to consider are the massive benefits the change of ownership will mean to the community of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

“A range of matters in what was a complex transaction were completed for today’s formal handover, with all contracts and agreements transferred to the new entity,” Palmer said.

“The vast majority of the club’s liabilities, including its tax bill, under the terms of the acquisition agreement have now been settled.

“I think we should look forward to the positives this change of ownership has created and at the same time appreciate the great opportunity that is now being presented to the entire Newcastle Rugby League community.

“The Hunter Sports Group is a not for profit organisation and any surplus profits will now be re-invested into the Hunter’s youth and their development,” he concluded.

Earlier this month HSG advanced $3.5 million to ensure the Knights met their financial obligations in the lead-up to the closure of the acquisition.

Nathan Tinkler said, ”I am delighted the Hunter community will play an integral role in the development of the Knights to again become a powerhouse in the NRL. The signs are good as the First Grade team is set for the finals.

“Our focus is on developing the young talent in the Hunter Valley to become Knights, while welcoming many of our former players back to Newcastle.”

Since the March vote when 97 per cent of Knights’ members voted to approve its acquisition, HSG has signed Wayne Bennett as coach for the next 4 years, as well as signing internationals including Darius Boyd, Kade Snowden, Timana Tahu and extended captain Kurt Gidley and coach Rick Stone to long term deals.

A range of HSG initiatives have seen the Knights’ membership more than double to over 15,000 members, while crowds have increased to an average of over 18,000 per game.

The Knights now join the Newcastle Jets and an International sporting events arm in the Hunter Sports Group.

ENDS

For further information call Richard Fisk on 0412 399 540.

The announcement comes just 24 hours after interim CEO Troy Palmer launched the “Strength in Numbers Target 10,000″ call for memberships in 2011.

“Yesterday we asked our supporters to make a commitment to the club by purchasing memberships in 2011, today I’m excited to be cementing my commitment to the club for a further four years,” Gidley said.

“I would love to see the whole community make their commitment to us through a Knights membership; we’re entering an exciting era for the club and this will help us build a true fortress at Ausgrid Stadium.”

Gidley has played his 173 first grade games for the Newcastle Knights and his illustrious representative career includes 11 Tests for Australia, ten games for New South Wales, three games for Country and two matches for the NRL All Stars.

“I’m a Newcastle boy, I played my junior football with Wests Newcastle and have followed the Knights since the club’s inception i n 1988.”

“It was always a dream of my brother Matt and I to represent our community by playing for the Knights, and we are lucky enough to have had the opportunity to do so.”

“I believe that the Newcastle Knights are building towards a very exciting future with a team that is capable of bringing the Newcastle and Hunter region its third premiership combined with a prosperous future.”

Head Coach Rick Stone believes that this retention news is the boost the Knights need as they continue their tough away road trip.

“Kurt is an integral part of our club’s community both on and off the field, he is an inspirational captain on the field and I hope that today our members join us by encouraging their friends and family to commit to the Knights,” Stone said.

“Kurt epitomises what is good about the Newcastle Knights and the Hunter region, we are delighted that he is in the position to be a Knight for life by remaining a one c lub player which is rare in the modern game.”

Community Membership Packages are on sale NOW but only from:

Newcastle Knights
Phone – 02 4941 8282, www.newcastleknights.com.au or Knights Kingdom or

PROticket
Phone – 1300 121 012, www.proticket.com.au or any PROticket Agency

For further details contact:
Michelle Smit – Media & Communications Manager on 0458 300 977

Knights Acting CEO, Troy Palmer with Rick Stone, Kurt Gidley, Knights players and coaching staff, with the first Community Membership Family. (Leanne Cox and her son's, Hunter and Brayden and her mother)

Newcastle Knights fans have answered the “Strength in Numbers Target 10,000″ call with just over 1,000 Membership Packages sold in only four hours today.

Just minutes after the 1pm announcement the Knights Kingdom Store was already being inundated with Knights fans wanting to take advantage of the Community Membership Packages.

“This is a fantastic result and a great boost in confidence for the Newcastle Knights players. We put the call out for people to support the team and we are now 10% toward our Target 10,000 Memberships,” said Knights Acting CEO, Troy Palmer.

With 1,110 Memberships sold today, the Knights’ Membership now represents 0.87% of the population of the Hunter and there is still a long way to go.

1056 people have purchased Reserved Memberships in the Andrew Johns Stand, with 54 purchasing General Admission Memberships.

“If Knights fans are interested in committing to a Community Membership Packages, I would encourage them to act now as they are proving very popular,” said Mr Palmer.

Community Membership Packages are on sale NOW but only from:

Newcastle Knights
Phone – 02 4941 8282, www.newcastleknights.com.au or Knights Kingdom or
PROticket
Phone – 1300 121 012, www.proticket.com.au or any PROticket Agency

For further details contact:
Michelle Smit – Media & Communications Manager on 0458 300 977
Released: 19.04.11

The appointment is exciting news for the club and the region, which is identified as the country’s most prolific rugby league nursery and host to the game’s most passionate fans.

The Tinkler Sports Group Executive Chairman Ken Edwards said the news was a massive win for the community and the Knights Rugby League club. “We are building something really special for the entire community and are thrilled to know that Wayne Bennett will be part of it,” Edwards said. “Wayne’s appointment confirms exactly what Nathan has been saying, that the Hunter region has developed dramatically and now the best do not have to go to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to prosper, they can now stay or join us in the Hunter. “This is a major step for the region as we continue to build community pride and above all, further expand the club’s existing policy to provide a pathway for all juniors to have the opportunity to play for the Knights. “What excites everyone at the club is Wayne’s commitment to work closely with the Newcastle Rugby League, to ensure that a professional structure is in place for young player development and a full programme for local coaches. “This is a genuine revolution for everyone involved in rugby league from Newcastle up to the Queensland boarder,” Edwards concluded.

Wayne Bennett has confirmed his commitment to work closely with all levels of rugby league in building a long lasting legacy for the game’s development in the Hunter region.
The decision of Wayne Bennett to join the Knight’s, completes a massive fortnight for the Tinkler Sports Group having secured ownership of the club with 97% member’s support and the completion of Ausgrid Stadium’s new facilities, now providing Novocastrians with one of the best stadiums in Australia.

TSG CEO Troy Palmer was high in his praise for the job being done by the Knights current head coach Rick Stone. “It is business as usual and Rick and his team will be given everything needed to achieve the very best possible outcome for the Knights this season,” Palmer said. “Rick has done and is doing an outstanding job with the NRL team and has developed a strong culture throughout the club. “Wayne will sit down with Rick in the near future to discuss an on-going relationship,” he concluded.

The appointment of Wayne Bennett is seen as a major building block in the TSG Not for Profit “Sporting Newcastle” team, that is unique to Australian Sport and will continue to grow and develop for the benefit of the community.

Newcastle Knights Players will arrive at Newcastle Airport at 1.55pm
Rick Stone will be available for comment.

For further details contact:
Michelle Smit – Knights Media & Communications Manager on 0458 300 977
or Jarrod Johnstone – Tinkler Sports Group on 0457 099745


Consigned by Makybe on behalf of breeders Gilgai Farm, the colt from Helsinge drew a lot of admirers but in the end it settled down to just two with the money. A spirited bidding duel between Peter Moody and John Hawkes ensued, with Hawkes Racing winning the day.

“He’s an outstanding colt even without Black Caviar on the page. We spell quite a few horses at Makybe and when we were down there about six weeks ago we saw the Easter yearlings and in the time since then this colt has jumped out of the ground and improved and improved,” Wayne Hawkes told TVN.

The star colt is from the first crop of young Patinack Farm based sire Casino Prince, a Group I winning son of Flying Spur, who stood his first season at stud in 2008 at a fee of $38,500 and covered a quality book of 143 mares. Casino Prince’s first season book included no less than 25 full, or half sisters to Group 1 winners.

“For Patinack Farm to play a part in the first yearling in Australian history, by a first crop sire, to have made over $1m is a tremendous achievement. It really does speak volumes for the quality of mares Casino Prince has seen visit him in his first three seasons at stud. We are absolutely delighted with the result for both the owners and Makybe for presenting him so well,” said Patinack Farm’s Chairman Nathan Tinkler.

A complete PDF download of the TSG media kit is available here.

The Tinkler Sports Group (TSG) today announced the most exciting family friendly ticketing policy in Australian sport, providing reserved seating for $5 per person per game or general admission access for only $3.75 per person per game.

The new 10 game family memberships for 2 adults and 2 children will become the most affordable in the country at $200 for reserved seating or $150 for general admission.

TSG Executive Chairman Ken Edwards confirmed that being not for profit and offering affordable family memberships are the cornerstones of the group’s strategy to ensure the Knights remained a community asset.

“Nathan Tinkler firmly believes that attending Newcastle Knights home games is far too expensive, particularly for families during this difficult time, with increased prices in all areas of our lives. It is a priority for him and TSG that we make being a Knights fan more affordable.”

“The Tinkler Sports Group is committed to ‘Family Friendly’ membership prices, we want to see as many families and children as possible attending AusGrid Stadium and supporting their team”, Edwards said.

The Knights currently have around 6,000 ticketed members and the target of TSG is to reach 20,000 in 2012.

The TSG proposal is the most competitive in Australian Sport with an average price of $20 per family per game for four reserved seats in the Eastern Grandstand. A family pass is two adults and two children.

Whilst the immediate attention will turn to the positives of the increases in attendance due to the family friendly pricing, TSG Chief Executive Troy Palmer has been adamant that no current Newcastle Knights Members will lose their seats under the new proposal.

“Under the current business model the Knights have been kept afloat by loyal members who have unhesitatingly paid for their season ticketed membership every year. Without them the club would no longer exist.”

“We are determined to say thank you and reward existing season ticket holders who have already paid for their tickets. Knowing how passionate they are about the club we are pleased to announce that they will receive a very special commemorative jersey. The limited edition jersey features the names of all players who have represented the Knights over the past 23 years and will not be retailed”, Palmer concluded.

Based on the design of the 1997 Premiership winning Knights jersey, the material will have the players’ names embedded into the material, to not only honour the past players but as a truly special reward for the loyal Members.

Knights coach Rick Stone felt the biggest positive of this announcement would be the wow factor at home games with more than 30,000 Knights fans cheering the team on at Ausgrid Stadium.

“With the new ground now holding over 30,000 fans, this will be the place no team wants to visit, having so many fans cheering us on will be like the boys having a 10 points head start”.

The new ticketing prices will take effect from Round 10 when the Knights take on the New Zealand Warriors at home and are subject to the Knights members voting in favor of the TSG’s proposal that goes to members on March 31st.

For more information contact:

Ken Edwards, Executive Chairman, Tinkler Sports Group
0418 885 920

Jarrod Johnstone, General Manager Commercial Operations, Tinkler Sports Group
0457 099 745

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Part 2 and Part 3 are viewable at NBN Television’s youtube channel.

Well I can answer that quite simply. I’m really passionate about all things Newcastle and Hunter. The Region has given me so much. I really want to help and I realise the Knights mean so much to all of us.

We want to make it very clear this offer isn’t an attack on the current Newcastle Knights Administration it is about presenting a better and more financially stable option. It is incomprehensible that in our region we struggle to financially support a rugby league club yet we export 40% of the States wealth.

It is clear in our current format and structure we can’t financially compete with the big-city clubs.

As a Region we need the Knights to be successful so that we can provide sporting role models for our children.

It’s also important that the Club can ensure ticket prices are affordable. This provides the opportunity for our children and families to get to games and feel the joy of success. It is critical that those less fortunate in our society; including those suffering from significant financial pressure; can be a proud part of our football community.

We want to see our children and their friends grow up with a variety of successful Hunter based sporting teams. We want to ensure the Knights will be around for our children and our children’s children and that every rugby league junior in the region dreams of playing for the Knights.

Sport is the great bond that brings the Hunter Region together as one.

You are possibly aware, I haven’t always been an active soccer fan (although that is really changing with the Newcastle Jets). You would have observed what we’ve done with the Jets in a short time, including discounting season passes, increasing family attendance, a closer involvement with the games grassroots, and bringing the LA Galaxy to town.

Anything is possible for the Newcastle Knights if we dare to dream.

The Newcastle Knights is a genuine community asset that belongs to all of us; that is everyone who has ever been to a game, cheered for the team or will in the future. And this will NEVER change.

Here are our promises to you.

1. Guaranteed minimum of $100 million dollars of Corporate Sponsorship and Corporate Hospitality over a ten-year period.

We have listened to previous concerns, and now we can provide a full decade of financial security. This will be underpinned by a sustainable financial and business model. Additional working capital will be provided if required.

2. It will always be your club.

Members will control Club colours, the name, the location and the home ground.

3. Any profits made by the Knights will stay in our community.

We will use it at the grassroots, to promote local talent and to make sure our players, staff and fans have everything they need for us to be an NRL powerhouse.

4. The Newcastle Knights will make this community proud again.

This is the best place in Australia to live and we deserve to be successful. We will be the Club everyone wants to play for and no one wants to play against. We will be the team everyone in the region wants to support.

The Tinkler Sports Group will provide best practice, security and stability, affordability, a world-class team on and off the field, which will make the Hunter the envy of the Rugby League world.

The new agreement will see Patinack Farm sponsor the Group 1 TJ Smith conducted on Queensland’s leading raceday, AAMI Stradbroke Day.

The most important event for two-year-olds during the Brisbane Racing Carnival, the Patinack Farm TJ Smith is run over 1600m at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Worth $500,000, the Patinack Farm TJ Smith is one of the most lucrative races conducted during the BRCs Carnival.

Patinack Farm will also continue its sponsorship of the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes for fillies and mares, as part of the new deal. BRC Chief Executive, Stephen Ferguson, said the sponsorship brings together two of racing’s market leaders.

“Patinack Farm has established itself as the next generation within the thoroughbred industry, by challenging tradition and raising the bar; these values are shared by the BRC” said Mr Ferguson. Patinack Farm CEO Peter Beer said “We are delighted to be again supporting what is one of the world’s best racing carnivals and we look forward to working closely with the BRC to attract the best horses to Brisbane.”

The Brisbane Racing Carnival is conducted over five consecutive Saturdays in May and June and will commence on May 14, 2011 with Racefest and the Group 1 event, the BTC Cup.