The Iconic backs women’s sport in first-of-its-kind deal

The Iconic has launched a multi-platform partnership with News Australia tied to the Newcastle Knights' 2026 NRLW season, marking the fashion and lifestyle retailer's first foray into sports sponsorship in its 15-year history.

The campaign centres on a bespoke gloss player poster to be published in The Sunday Telegraph on June 28, ahead of the NRLW season launch. The double-sided poster features Newcastle Knights players Yasmin Meakes, Olivia Higgins and Botille Vette-Welsh in playing kit on one side, and styled in a fashion shoot dressed exclusively by The Iconic on the reverse.

The shoot also underpins a three-part social video series titled Beyond The Jersey, published across Code Sports and The Daily Telegraph. The series profiles Meakes, Higgins and Vette-Welsh across themes of leadership, confidence, belonging and heritage. The content will also be distributed across The Iconic's social platforms, website and app.

The Iconic will additionally feature in News Australia's eight-page NRLW Season Launch Guide, published July 1 across The Daily Telegraph and The Courier-Mail. The guide previews all 12 teams ahead of the 2026 season and includes season predictions, team rankings and player profiles.

The Iconic was earlier announced as the exclusive online retail partner of the Knights' women's team.

The Iconic chief marketing officer Joanna Robinson said the partnership reflected the platform's commitment to championing women.

"Partnering with the Newcastle Knights women's team is about backing the extraordinary momentum in women's sport, connecting with one of Australia's most passionate sporting communities, and showing how naturally sport, fashion and culture can come together," Robinson said.

News Australia head of commercial content, news sport and Prestige, Jessica Montague, said The Iconic’s move into women's sport is a powerful cultural statement. 

“It’s a bold move to step into a new space, and News Australia is proud to work collaboratively with The Iconic to amplify this story,” she said.