PKF extends Newcastle Knights partnership until the end of next year
Accounting and consulting firm PKF has further extended its partnership with the Newcastle Knights, as the NRL team looks to bounce back from last season’s bottom-of-the-ladder finish.
Continuing its relationship established in 2023, PKF made special note of its backing of new head coach Justin Holbrook, who started his playing career at the club, as well as the Knights’ upcoming trip to Las Vegas to launch the 2026 NRL season.
“This extension is a vital step in the club’s strategic direction, aligning two brands which share a high-performance culture and a commitment to excellence,” said chief commercial officer Jodie Cross of the fresh deal, which runs until the end of next year.
The Knights will take on the North Queensland Cowboys in the season opener at Las Vegas’s 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium at the end of the month, with the annual international rugby league carnival now into its third year and declared as a huge success by the league. Both teams will be looking to re-enter the finals, after dropping out of the top 8 last year.
PKF, which sits marginally outside the top ten organisations of its kind in Australia but a bit further down the list globally, has been growing at a rapid clip in North America in recent years. The firm said the local partnership extension provided the opportunity to stand proudly alongside the Knights as it kicked off its season “on one of the biggest stages in world sport”.
Serving as both official financial services and ‘NRL head coach’ partner, PKF was also keen to throw its support behind Holbrook, who was appointed to the top role last year following the team’s wooden spoon and brings over twenty years of top-flight coaching experience, as well as being a member of the Roosters’ 2002 premiership squad – won a year after the Knights last cup.
“PKF has a long-standing connection to Newcastle and the wider Hunter community, and backing Justin reflects its belief in strong leadership, community spirit, and the power of new beginnings,” the club said. “Their ongoing support ensures the continuation of joint efforts that uplift local organisations, inspire young athletes, and create meaningful touchpoints across the Hunter.”
As part of its sponsorship agreement, PKF will continue to provide head-coach media insights and updates such as its ‘Coach’s Corner’ segments, as well as collaborate on community engagement and outreach programs, social and digital content celebrating local stories, game day experiences and supporter engagement, and other player and coaching content initiatives.
“Our relationship with the Newcastle Knights has always been grounded in a shared passion for the Newcastle and Hunter community,” said Bob Bell, PKF’s Sydney & Newcastle managing director since 2022. “We are proud to stand alongside a coach and club that embodies the values we hold deeply – teamwork, resilience, and genuine community impact.”
