The University of Newcastle has officially unveiled a multi-sport arena to be known as the Mark and Kirralee Hughes Sports Common.
The multipurpose facility, which includes two upgraded turf fields plus all-weather courts designed for netball, pickleball, tennis, hockey and futsal, is the first of its kind in Newcastle.
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor Alex Zelinsky said naming the precinct after Knights' two-time premiership-winner Mark Hughes and his wife Kirralee was a fitting recognition of their contribution to the region.
The Mark Hughes Foundation has contributed more than $36 million to the university for brain cancer research and treatment.
Hughes, who won premierships with the Knights in 1997 and 2001, and Kirralee established the foundation after his brain cancer diagnosis in 2013.
"Being part of this region means investing in facilities that reflect the strong sporting culture of our students and community, where everyone is welcome," Professor Zelinsky said.
"In the lead-up to the rugby league grand final this week, we've seen just how much sport brings our community together.
"Through their tireless advocacy and fundraising, Mark and Kirralee Hughes have created a lasting legacy, making a real difference to the lives of countless people across our region.
"It is fitting that a facility bearing their name will carry that legacy forward, providing a place where people can come together, participate and connect for generations to come."
Hughes was honoured to have his and Kirralee's names attached to the sporting facility.
"Novocastrians are passionate about sport, and the University of Newcastle's investment in a year-round facility that caters to multiple sporting codes will create opportunities for thousands of people across the region for years to come," Hughes said.
"We're looking forward to watching future Knights, Jets, Wildfires, Matildas, Swans and Hockeyroos train and develop across the grounds for years to come."
The former Knights and NSW outside back fondly remembered plying his trade as an aspiring rugby league player at the turf fields that form part of the sports common.
"When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time coming here training and trying to make a career at the Knights," Hughes said.
"We trained right here. I was just a young kid from Kurri trying to make it with the Knights, so I've got great memories from here.
"At the time my wife Kirralee was doing a degree here, so this place has always been special for both of us.
"But we would never have dreamt that 30 years later or so that this amazing community facility now shares the name of myself and Kirralee.
"And I'm really proud that it's both me and Kirralee because she's the champion, the driver of the foundation from the start. So it's just really nice that our names are both there on the sign here."
Newcastle has desperately needed an all-weather sporting facility. Relentless rain wreaked havoc across community sport in recent years, forcing participants out of action for weeks on end due to soggy grounds.
The sports common is located at the University's Callaghan Campus, below NUsport.
It will be used as a classroom for education programs and will be available for hire by students, sporting clubs and community organisations.
"It's such a great community facility that will allow kids and families to come and gather," Hughes said.
"As we're seeing at the moment, nothing brings people together like sport, and this facility brings people together.
"Parents are chatting and kids are playing and they're moving and that's what we want to see."
The facility was given the tick of approval by sporting groups - kids and adults alike - on Thursday.
