A crew of 30 spirited fans cheered triumphantly from a corporate box at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday as they watched the Newcastle Knights claim victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons.

As event day partners, CatholicCare also organised for the eager fans to watch the Knights train earlier in the week, had players from both the Knights and the Dragons come to the corporate box for a meet and greet session just prior to first-grade kick off, cheered them on at half time with exclusive access to the tunnels and if that wasn’t enough, joined in the jubilant post-match celebrations with the team at the Stadium.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Young Adult Services Manager, Ian Eggins, said, “Today has been an amazing opportunity for the people we support to meet some of Australia’s most well regarded football players.

“Over the course of two days the players took the opportunity to chat with the people we support, pose for photos and sign autographs. The players involved them in the celebrations and when asked, even had a run on the field with some of our young people.

“Players such as the Mat’utia brothers, who play for the Knights, are exceptional on the field, but it’s also their off-field endeavours − involving themselves with many charities and being all-round nice guys, that really earned the respect of the young people in our program and make them great role models and leaders in our community. 

“A lot of people never get to experience the excitement of a corporate box. For CatholicCare, it was a way to recognise and congratulate people in our Young Adult Services and Disability Services programs for their ongoing commitment to achieving their goals.

“The Newcastle Knights are an integral part of the Hunter community and we’re really proud to have partnered with them to provide this once in a life time opportunity,” Ian said.

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