To lift spirits after the horrific floods in the Dungog and Stroud area nearly two months ago, the Newcastle Knights are coming to town next Tuesday.
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The club is planning to bring a bus load of around 20 of their full time squad plus staff to lift spirits in Dungog and assist with a coaching clinic at the football ground.
They are also looking at getting some items to raise funds.
The visit was organised in part by Dungog Junior Rugby League Club secretary Lindy Hunt who was successful in getting former Knights’ coach Wayne Bennett to town on four occasions.
“Keith Onslow from the Knights and Chris Brennan from the Country Rugby League rang me up on numerous occasions after the floods and wanted to know what they could do to help both the club and the town,” Lindy said.
“It was very comforting in a horrible situation to receive the support of Keith, Chris and Kacey Drummond through phone calls.
“It meant a lot to me personally as I found, and still find, this situation very emotional.
“The natural disaster storm that hit Dungog on April 21 flooded 68 houses, washed away four houses, left 169 people without a home and took the lives of three loved Dungog residents.
“It washed through our rugby league shed with a height of two metres and collected all our merchandise, headgears, training equipment, match day equipment and much, much more.
“It has been a very hard time for all registered players, parents and committee as we have had very limited access to our playing field for the 2015 season.
“I am really grateful for the Knights’ players wanting to come up here to help out our club, and more importantly, our community.”
The team will arrive around 4pm next Tuesday, June 9, where groups of players will walk up and down Dungog’s main street handing out posters, taking photos with fans and visiting shop keepers.
“They will then make their way over to Bennett Park for a large group photo at 4.45,” Lindy said.
“The Knights will then be involved in a coaching clinic and the club is hosting a barbecue at the ground through to 6pm.
“Everyone is welcome to come along and meet the players and join in the clinic.”