GROUP BOARD
As a member-based organisation, community is at the heart of all we do.
Community isn’t an initiative at Wests Group it’s fundamental to who we are. As one of the region’s largest member-based organisations, we believe success carries responsibility. Every membership, every visit and every partnership plays a role in strengthening our region.
Wests Group is a locally owned, not-for-profit organisation built on membership. Our vision is to be our members’ third place, creating personalised experiences that engage, entertain, and inspire. At our core is a deep commitment to community impact, bringing together Wests and the Newcastle Knights to create lasting value across the region.
Wests provides the foundation for this impact, investing more than $3.7 million in monetary and in-kind support over the past year, including $1.9 million in ClubGRANTS funding supported by the NSW Government. Across five key pillars — health, wellbeing, education, social inclusion, and grassroots sport — we support programs, fund critical services and back initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes across Greater Northern NSW.
This impact is brought to life through the Newcastle Knights, with players contributing more than 2,000 hours in the community — connecting directly with schools, clubs, and local organisations.
We also continue to invest in major community infrastructure, with more than $6 million committed to projects that support participation, accessibility, and long-term community use.
We are proud to partner with organisations that share our social priorities and vision for the region and look forward to continuing to create opportunities for growth, connection and meaningful impact.
Geoff Coburn
President
Our Impact
Over $3.7M
Invested in community
Over $6M
Invested in major infrastructure
1,483
Local jobs provided
2,000
Player community hours
Real Stories
Celebrating 50 Years of NAIDOC Week
In 2026, West proudly celebrated the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week, recognising five decades of honouring and celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Not-for-profit. All for community.
Wests Group proudly supports the Your Local Club initiative, helping raise awareness of the important role community-based, not-for-profit clubs play across NSW.
Strengthening Our Reconciliation Commitment
We are proud to launch the second edition of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2025–2027
Two Million Reasons to Smile
The Wests Group has committed $2 million to Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW to support the “Building a Bigger Heart” expansion.
A New Horizon For Hope
In partnership with Housing Plus, Wests is proud to be a key funding contributor to supporting women and children escaping domestic violence.
Backing Hunter Women in Sport
The Wests Group has expanded its partnership with the Minerva Network, supporting more than 1,000 female athletes.
Commitment to Cultural Capability
The Wests Group maintains a longstanding commitment to advancing Indigenous education & engagement in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Career-Ready Program with the University of Newcastle
The Wests Group are proud Platinum Partners of the Newcastle Business School, supporting their Career-Ready Placement Industry Program.
Building the Future of Women’s Rugby League Through Research
The nib Newcastle Knights are proud to partner with the University of Newcastle on a pioneering National Industry PhD
Youth Ambassadors
In 2025, the nib Newcastle Knights were proud to have four Hunter Region students selected to represent the region and the Club at The NRL Indigenous Youth Summit
Making Wellbeing a Prioirty
Our partnership with In Minds Training reflects a strong commitment to workplace wellbeing and building capability to support mental health across our organisation.
Major Investment in Netball
Wests is investing $1.75M into grassroots female sport, with strong progress made this year on new netball facilities in New Lambton.
Strengthening the communities that strengthen us
The Wests Group Australia through the state wide NSW goverment ClubGRANTS program has a proud history of funding a range of social initiatives.
In 2025 our ClubGRANTS funding supported 30 local services and programs, contributing over $1.9 million directly to our footprint communities, a critical funding injection to local sport, community groups, veterans’ programs and social services. With five Wests Group Club sites throughout the region, our ClubGRANTS funding is extended to recipient organisations throughout Lake Macquarie, Greater Newcastle and Port Stephens.
The Wests Group’s NSW government ClubGRANTS donation in 2025 was over $1.9M
including both cash and in-kind contributions. This will go a long way in supporting community initiatives and benefiting numerous lives.
Walking together with purpose
Wests Group is committed to creating culturally safe and inclusive environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples feel welcomed, respected, heard, and empowered.
We are embedding reconciliation across every part of our organisation from the field to our venues and through the relationships we build with community.
Through ongoing learning, collaboration, and meaningful engagement with First Nations communities, we are strengthening relationships, celebrating culture, and creating lasting positive change.
Expanding Care for Families When It Matters Most
Wests Group supports health programs and services that deliver critical care across our region, helping individuals and families access the support they need when it matters most.
As part of this commitment, The West Group has committed $2 million to Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW to support the 'Building a Bigger Heart' expansion.
Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW supports families with seriously ill or injured children by providing accommodation, care and essential services close to hospitals so they can stay together during treatment. The funding will help redevelop the Newcastle house with 11 new family units and upgraded shared spaces to meet growing demand across the region.
A record-breaking season of giving
Over many years, the club's community program has actively contributed to a range of not-for-profit organisations through game day fundraising, player appearances, cause profiling and club led education programs.
$ 111,002.50 was raised at our our 50-50 Charity Partner raffle during the 2025 playing season, with 15 local causes each gifted a home game to fundraise and promote their mission.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors for their support and shared commitment to investing in our team and our community.
Our Officers
The Wests Group Board is responsible for determining and driving support for these community giving streams. They take their responsibility to support the community seriously and are committed to making a positive social impact at the heart of everything they do. Through careful consideration and evaluation, they identify the areas where they can make the greatest difference and work hard to ensure that their resources are deployed in the most effective way possible.
Geoff Coburn
President
Katie Brassil
Director
Robert Darcy
Director
Peter Jenner
Director
Samantha Poolman
Director
Tony Keating
Director
Tony Price
Director
