This weekend, our Learning Disability Super League and Physical Disability Rugby League teams will take to Newcastle for this year’s Magic Weekend, followed by the second Magic Round of the year for our Wheelchair team next week.
Over the course of this weekend, thousands of fans will take to St James’ Park for the annual Magic Weekend, where Leeds Rhinos will conclude day one with a match against Yorkshire rivals, Castleford Tigers.
The Magic Weekend event will mark our Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League team’s third festival of the year, which will take place at Kingston Park. Here the teams will play a festival of small-sided, non-competitive games against their fellow Yorkshire teams. The team will also have the privilege of taking centre stage at St James’ Park during half time of the Catalan Dragons vs Wigan Warriors fixture. Fans attending Magic Weekend will have the chance to support the truly inspirational superstars of this adapted version of the sport.
Our LDSL team first took part in the Magic Weekend experience in 2019, but for some of our newer players, this is the first time they will have played in a professional stadium, in front of a large crowd. For other members of the team, this is a major highlight in the calendar and a perfect opportunity to make long-lasting memories.
Joining our LDSL team at Magic Weekend, is our PDRL team, who are looking forward to their return to action. The team will take part in their 3rd festival of the year at Kingston Park, taking on Salford Red Devils (Kick off – 11am) and Castleford Tigers (Kick off – 12pm).
The wait is slighter longer for our Betfred Wheelchair Super League team who will compete in the second Magic Round of the season next weekend (10th June) at Northumbria University. It has been announced that James Simpson’s side will take on Warrington Wolves (Kick off – 2pm), in what is set to be an exciting day of Wheelchair Rugby League. The Magic Round’s are a great opportunity for all six Super League teams to gather in one venue and show how much the game has progressed.
The Leeds Rhinos will be looking to maintain their undefeated streak as they head into their fifth league game of the season.
Disability Officer, Ed Bates, commented on the event: “Magic Weekend is one of the biggest dates in the Super League calendar, to have representation from our PDRL and LDSL teams there is massive for the sport. It really shows how inclusive it is! Players and coaches from both teams are looking forward to what will be a spectacular occasion, on and off the field.
The backing from the RFL and Community Integrated Care to enable players from our Learning Disability Super League team a chance to step foot on the St James Park turf is part of the true magic of the weekend. These are the memories that will last a lifetime for our players.
The second magic round is a brilliant opportunity for Wheelchair Super League to bring the ever-growing sport of Wheelchair Rugby League to Newcastle. The team are really looking forward to playing a great Warrington Wolves side, whilst hopefully contributing to the growth of the sport in the Northeast”.
We would like to wish good luck to all of our players taking part over this weekend and next and encourage fans to give them a big cheer if you are attending St James’ Park!