Back-to-back champions to be honoured with civic reception

The Newcastle Knights are once again the toast of the town after beating the Gold Coast Titans 24 points to 18 in the grand final in Sydney this afternoon to claim their second-straight NRLW premiership.

To help celebrate their historic achievement City of Newcastle (CN) will host a civic reception for the 28-player squad and coaching staff at City Hall on Tuesday, October 3.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Knights' women have become incredible ambassadors for Newcastle.

"This team has achieved so much in such a short space of time and it's important we acknowledge their continued success," Cr Nelmes said.

"A lot of the players are born and bred Novocastrians and wonderful role models, showing our local women and girls they can achieve their dreams close to home, even in a sport traditionally dominated by men."

One of those locals is captain Hannah Southwell, who missed out on the 2022 grand final victory over the Parramatta Eels because of injury.

She returned to play a pivotal role in the 2023 NRLW season, where the Knights won the minor premiership for the first time, before capping off the campaign by claiming back-to-back titles.

The civic reception will be held at City Hall from 4:30pm and is free and open for the public to attend to help celebrate back-to-back titles.

Following the official proceedings, fans will have the chance to meet their heroes as part of an autograph signing session.

CN was a foundation sponsor of the Knights women's team during their historic debut season in the 2021 National Rugby League Telstra Women’s Premiership.

Hundreds of Knights fans lined King Street outside City Hall last year to celebrate the Newcastle Knights’ historic 2022 NRLW Premiership win. At that time, the team was also presented with a Key to the City by the Lord Mayor.