Latest news with #WestsGroup
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Knights set to confirm major leadership shake-up
The Newcastle Knights are set to announce Peter Parr's elevation to chief executive officer as club powerbroker Philip Gardner steps aside from the role. In changes to be made official on Wednesday, Parr will become CEO of the Knights from November 1. Gardner has held the job since Wests Group assumed control of the Knights in late 2017, but his dual CEO roles, of the Knights and Wests Group, are set to be split. The Knights have confirmed Parr's promotion in an email to club partners, and Knights staff were informed of the changes on Tuesday. A born-and-bred Novocastrian, Parr joined the Knights as football director in mid-2022 after more than two decades with the North Queensland Cowboys, where he held various roles including CEO. He has overseen Newcastle's football department since then, but his duties slightly shifted after the appointment of Chris James last year as football manager. James will become football director once Parr starts as CEO. The changes are part of the club's long-term transition plan. Gardner will remain CEO of Wests Group, continuing to oversee the $100 million hospitality and licensed club empire. He is expected to retire from that role, which he has held since 1995, late next year. As CEO, Gardner has steered the Knights into a new era under Wests Group's ownership. The Knights had run last three years in a row when Wests took over. On-field results have steadily improved with Newcastle making the finals in four of the past five NRL seasons. The club moved into a new training base, worth more than $25 million, at Broadmeadow in 2022 and the football department is now well resourced. Newcastle also launched a women's side in that time, and won back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022-23. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. The club has come under the spotlight more than once for various reasons. It has been criticised at times, fairly or unfairly, for its lack of football nous at board and leadership level, turnover of staff, roster management and junior development. Just last week, the media blowtorch was applied once more when reports emerged that the club was considering moving NRL coach Adam O'Brien on at season's end, and skipper Kalyn Ponga was considering his options. Both are contracted for a further two years. Ponga said in a statement last week that he remained "committed" to the club for that time. O'Brien's NRL side has won six of 18 games this season. Newcastle take on competition leaders Canberra in the nation's capital on Sunday. O'Brien has made just one change to his side that lost to the Warriors 20-15 at the weekend, recalling experienced forward Jack Hetherington. Tom Cant has dropped out of the side. The Newcastle Knights are set to announce Peter Parr's elevation to chief executive officer as club powerbroker Philip Gardner steps aside from the role. In changes to be made official on Wednesday, Parr will become CEO of the Knights from November 1. Gardner has held the job since Wests Group assumed control of the Knights in late 2017, but his dual CEO roles, of the Knights and Wests Group, are set to be split. The Knights have confirmed Parr's promotion in an email to club partners, and Knights staff were informed of the changes on Tuesday. A born-and-bred Novocastrian, Parr joined the Knights as football director in mid-2022 after more than two decades with the North Queensland Cowboys, where he held various roles including CEO. He has overseen Newcastle's football department since then, but his duties slightly shifted after the appointment of Chris James last year as football manager. James will become football director once Parr starts as CEO. The changes are part of the club's long-term transition plan. Gardner will remain CEO of Wests Group, continuing to oversee the $100 million hospitality and licensed club empire. He is expected to retire from that role, which he has held since 1995, late next year. As CEO, Gardner has steered the Knights into a new era under Wests Group's ownership. The Knights had run last three years in a row when Wests took over. On-field results have steadily improved with Newcastle making the finals in four of the past five NRL seasons. The club moved into a new training base, worth more than $25 million, at Broadmeadow in 2022 and the football department is now well resourced. Newcastle also launched a women's side in that time, and won back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022-23. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. The club has come under the spotlight more than once for various reasons. It has been criticised at times, fairly or unfairly, for its lack of football nous at board and leadership level, turnover of staff, roster management and junior development. Just last week, the media blowtorch was applied once more when reports emerged that the club was considering moving NRL coach Adam O'Brien on at season's end, and skipper Kalyn Ponga was considering his options. Both are contracted for a further two years. Ponga said in a statement last week that he remained "committed" to the club for that time. O'Brien's NRL side has won six of 18 games this season. Newcastle take on competition leaders Canberra in the nation's capital on Sunday. O'Brien has made just one change to his side that lost to the Warriors 20-15 at the weekend, recalling experienced forward Jack Hetherington. Tom Cant has dropped out of the side. The Newcastle Knights are set to announce Peter Parr's elevation to chief executive officer as club powerbroker Philip Gardner steps aside from the role. In changes to be made official on Wednesday, Parr will become CEO of the Knights from November 1. Gardner has held the job since Wests Group assumed control of the Knights in late 2017, but his dual CEO roles, of the Knights and Wests Group, are set to be split. The Knights have confirmed Parr's promotion in an email to club partners, and Knights staff were informed of the changes on Tuesday. A born-and-bred Novocastrian, Parr joined the Knights as football director in mid-2022 after more than two decades with the North Queensland Cowboys, where he held various roles including CEO. He has overseen Newcastle's football department since then, but his duties slightly shifted after the appointment of Chris James last year as football manager. James will become football director once Parr starts as CEO. The changes are part of the club's long-term transition plan. Gardner will remain CEO of Wests Group, continuing to oversee the $100 million hospitality and licensed club empire. He is expected to retire from that role, which he has held since 1995, late next year. As CEO, Gardner has steered the Knights into a new era under Wests Group's ownership. The Knights had run last three years in a row when Wests took over. On-field results have steadily improved with Newcastle making the finals in four of the past five NRL seasons. The club moved into a new training base, worth more than $25 million, at Broadmeadow in 2022 and the football department is now well resourced. Newcastle also launched a women's side in that time, and won back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022-23. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. The club has come under the spotlight more than once for various reasons. It has been criticised at times, fairly or unfairly, for its lack of football nous at board and leadership level, turnover of staff, roster management and junior development. Just last week, the media blowtorch was applied once more when reports emerged that the club was considering moving NRL coach Adam O'Brien on at season's end, and skipper Kalyn Ponga was considering his options. Both are contracted for a further two years. Ponga said in a statement last week that he remained "committed" to the club for that time. O'Brien's NRL side has won six of 18 games this season. Newcastle take on competition leaders Canberra in the nation's capital on Sunday. O'Brien has made just one change to his side that lost to the Warriors 20-15 at the weekend, recalling experienced forward Jack Hetherington. Tom Cant has dropped out of the side. The Newcastle Knights are set to announce Peter Parr's elevation to chief executive officer as club powerbroker Philip Gardner steps aside from the role. In changes to be made official on Wednesday, Parr will become CEO of the Knights from November 1. Gardner has held the job since Wests Group assumed control of the Knights in late 2017, but his dual CEO roles, of the Knights and Wests Group, are set to be split. The Knights have confirmed Parr's promotion in an email to club partners, and Knights staff were informed of the changes on Tuesday. A born-and-bred Novocastrian, Parr joined the Knights as football director in mid-2022 after more than two decades with the North Queensland Cowboys, where he held various roles including CEO. He has overseen Newcastle's football department since then, but his duties slightly shifted after the appointment of Chris James last year as football manager. James will become football director once Parr starts as CEO. The changes are part of the club's long-term transition plan. Gardner will remain CEO of Wests Group, continuing to oversee the $100 million hospitality and licensed club empire. He is expected to retire from that role, which he has held since 1995, late next year. As CEO, Gardner has steered the Knights into a new era under Wests Group's ownership. The Knights had run last three years in a row when Wests took over. On-field results have steadily improved with Newcastle making the finals in four of the past five NRL seasons. The club moved into a new training base, worth more than $25 million, at Broadmeadow in 2022 and the football department is now well resourced. Newcastle also launched a women's side in that time, and won back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022-23. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. The club has come under the spotlight more than once for various reasons. It has been criticised at times, fairly or unfairly, for its lack of football nous at board and leadership level, turnover of staff, roster management and junior development. Just last week, the media blowtorch was applied once more when reports emerged that the club was considering moving NRL coach Adam O'Brien on at season's end, and skipper Kalyn Ponga was considering his options. Both are contracted for a further two years. Ponga said in a statement last week that he remained "committed" to the club for that time. O'Brien's NRL side has won six of 18 games this season. Newcastle take on competition leaders Canberra in the nation's capital on Sunday. O'Brien has made just one change to his side that lost to the Warriors 20-15 at the weekend, recalling experienced forward Jack Hetherington. Tom Cant has dropped out of the side.
The Advertiser
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Meaningful': Knights in shining armour for sick kids with $2m donation
The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation. The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation. The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation. The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation.
