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• Newcastle fan Sam Luckley ‘buzzing’ for another Magic Weekend at St James’ Park

  Hull KR prop forward Sam Luckley insists fulfilling his “boyhood dream” of playing at St James’ Park will never get old as he prepares for his third Magic Weekend.

  Super League’s showcase event returns to Newcastle with six fixtures taking place across Saturday and Sunday.

  Luckley, who grew up in North Shields, has featured in two Magic Weekends previously for Salford and says playing at the home of his beloved Newcastle United is “mesmerising”.

  “I’m absolutely buzzing,” the 27-year-old told PA news agency. “I’ve played here twice before and it’s just mesmerising.

  “I love coming and playing at this stadium. It’s a big do for all my friends and family as well, it’s a big build-up. I just try not to think about it too much, but I can’t wait to get on the pitch.

  “When you come out for warm-up and stuff, the sprinklers are on… it feels like I should be wearing the number nine shirt!

  “It’s brilliant, you can’t put it into words. It’s a boyhood dream.”

  Hull KR face Luckley’s former club Salford in the 1330 kick-off on Saturday in what looks set to be a tight contest, with both teams locked on 16 points in the table.

  Last time he played at St James’ Park, Luckley scored a try in front of the Gallowgate End – celebrating with an Alan Shearer-style raised hand – and would love the chance to do so again.

  He said: “I thought if I do score, I’ve got to do it, in front of the Gallowgate as well… I don’t really get many tries so I’ve got to take it when it comes along.

  “I’ll 100 per cent be doing it again… If I get through, if I get the chance, I will!”

  He insists, though, that he would value a victory over personal glory.

  “I haven’t won here yet,” he said. “We lost against Castleford when I was playing for Salford and we lost again to Huddersfield when I scored my try, so I’ll trade all the tries in for a win. We’ll have a big push for that on Saturday.”

  The future of Magic Weekend is up in the air, with global sports media company IMG having been commissioned to “reimagine” rugby league in its role as the sport’s long-term strategic partner, but Luckley feels it is a “great spectacle” and “can’t be anything but good”.

  “It’s great for the sport,” he said. “Just look at the NRL, they’ve got a Magic Round as well and they’re loving it.

  “It’s a great spectacle for our sport and getting people who don’t watch rugby into rugby league over a weekend like this in a big football stadium in a big city… It can’t be anything but good.

  “It doesn’t just have to be Newcastle, it could be anywhere. I think, being a bit biased, St James’ Park is a great spot, the pubs are down the road, shops down the road…

  “I’d be more than happy to go somewhere else to try it out but I think you’ve got to get the location right.”

• Ja's gymnasts take positives from failed qualification bid at PanAm Champs in Colombia

  Despite failing to secure qualification to the Pan American (PanAm) Games nor the World Championships, Jamaica's artistic gymnasts Tyesha Mattis and Kiara Richmon took heart from their respective performances at the just-concluded PanAm Gymnastics Championships in Medellin, Colombia. 

  Mattis, Richmon and newcomer Mya Absolam, all produced credible showings in a highly competitive environment at the three-day championships which ended on Sunday but were unable to break into a coveted top 12 position.

  The England-born Mattis, who was Jamaica’s standout performer at last year’s event when she qualified for the World championships, expressed some disappointment that she wasn’t able to repeat the feat, as she was firmly set on getting to the PanAm Games in Chile and the World Championships in Belgium, later this year.

  She placed 32^nd overall with an all-around total of 44.500, after scoring 12.867 on vault, 10.533 on uneven bars, 10.733 on the balance beam and 10.367 for her floor routine.

  "I was happy with parts of my performances, but I felt like I put a little bit too much pressure on myself to qualify and so I didn’t do as well as I would have liked to,” Mattis said shortly after competition.

  However, the 24-year-old did find a few positive takeaways that she hopes to improve on ahead of next month’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador, when she is next expected to parade her skills for the island.

  “I managed to complete a 2 1/2 twist off beam again after not putting that out in competition for over four years, so I am super proud of myself in that regards as I am proving to myself that I can do more than I am limiting myself to,” she reasoned.

  “I am more than capable, and I just need to trust that my body can do the work and again, not putting too much pressure on myself. I work so hard in the gym and when I really wanted to put out my best, I made a couple mistakes.

  “But I have to remember I’m only human and I can learn from some of my mistakes and so I am really looking forward to a better performance out in El Salvador in a couple weeks. Looking forward to trying some different routines there and putting out more of my skills as I know I have so much more up my sleeve and the more I compete internationally, the more confident I feel,” Mattis added.

  For Richmon, who placed 36^th overall with an all-around score of 42.866, just being able to represent Jamaica at the event, represents a remarkable achievement and another significant milestone in her budding career.

  Her total includes score of 11.100 on vault, 10.233 on the uneven bars, 10.400 on the balance beam and 11.133 for her floor routine.

  “I feel like I did my best with my performance at the championships, especially being that I only had two weeks to prepare. So, I am definitely proud that I was able to hit all four apparatus and getting to be here with the team,” Richmon shared.

  With this being her first elite outing since 2019, the 21-year-old Fisk University student is eagerly looking forward to continuing her journey, as her unwavering determination, relentless work ethic and immense potential positions her as one of country’s gymnast to watch.

  “It felt amazing, and this performance will definitely serve as motivation for me going forward, I just need to just trust my training and do not over work myself. I also need to have more confidence and belief in myself and hopefully on my next competition I can produce a stronger performance with cleaner routines,” the US-born Richmon said.

  Meanwhile, Absolam, another England-born gymnast, had an all-around total of 39.533, after scoring 10.333, 10.033, 8.600, 10.567, on vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor, respectively. She placed 42^nd overall.

  On the male side, Canada-born Elel Wahrmann-Baker, was Jamaica’s top performer, placing 27^th overall, with an all-around total of 72.301. Wahrmann-Baker had scores of 12.767 on floor, 13.067 on the pommel horse, 11.067 on rings, 13.100 on vault, 13.133 parallel bars and 10.167 on high bar.

  Caleb Faulk placed 29th overall with scores of 12.300, 10.900, 12.400, 12.767, 11.9667 and 11.667 for an all-Around total of 72.001, while Matthew McClymont tallied 63.165 for 47^th overall. His scores include 12.233, 9.133, 7.533, 12.733, 10.800 and 10.733.

  Jamaica’s other representative Michael Reid only took on the pommel horse and parallel bars where he scored 11.933 and 12.467 for a total 24.400.

   

• Wayde van Niekerk Embraces Jamaican Track Culture Ahead of Racers Grand Prix

   Wayde van Niekerk, the reigning world record holder in the Men's 400m, is eagerly preparing for his appearance at the Racers Grand Prix set to take place at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

  The South African sprinter has faced an arduous journey to regain full fitness following a devastating knee injury in 2017, just a year after his remarkable Olympic triumph. Throughout his recovery, van Niekerk has relied on the expertise of his Jamaican therapist, an important contributor to his rehabilitation process.

  “I’m extremely excited, this is one of my highlights for a while now. I love the culture, I love the country, I love the people, and I mean you guys are genuine track lovers,” van Niekerk declared.

  Expressing his deep admiration for Jamaica, van Niekerk revealed his love for the country's track and field culture, referring to it as the "Mecca of track and field.” He praised Jamaicans' genuine passion, knowledge, and unwavering support for the sport, recognizing their unparalleled contributions to the world of athletics.

  Van Niekerk feels honoured to be able to compete in a country that has produced several track and field legends. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to leave his mark on Jamaican soil, paying tribute to the great athletes who have emerged from the nation.

  “If you look at the amazing athletes that have come through in track and field, and being able to, not just honour the greats that have come out of Jamaica, but also to put my feet into Jamaican soil and compete there and leave my mark behind in such a country that I respect when it comes to track and field, it's exciting for me.”

  The Racers Grand Prix holds significant importance for van Niekerk, serving as a vital part of his preparation for the upcoming World Championships. “I'm in a stage now where I need to build my confidence, to get back to winning ways and that's where my mentality is at. I’m looking forward to the positives that lay ahead of me, and I’m hoping to use Jamaica as one of my positive stepping stones, moving forward for the major competitions that do await us, and also use it as a positive step forward,” he remarked. 

  Recognizing the passionate support that Jamaican fans bring to track and field, van Niekerk is eager to utilize their energy and enthusiasm to his advantage. He believes that competing in an environment that embraces and loves the sport will provide him with a positive atmosphere to achieve outstanding results.

  With his eyes set on the podium at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, van Niekerk hopes that a successful performance at the Racers Grand Prix will help set the stage for a triumphant return to the top-tier of the 400m event.