Sam Luckley believes Magic Weekend should stay after seeing impact in Newcastle
SAM Luckley hopes to leave more Geordies in awe by starring on home turf as Super League heads to the Toon.
And he believes the time is prime to keep Magic Weekend in Newcastle after the football club’s success, despite being earmarked for the axe by strategic partners IMG.
If they get their way, this will be the final time all six league matches are played on the same pitch in an area away from the heartlands.
That is despite it being set to attract a combined attendance in the region of 65,000, despite more kids than ever in the north east playing the game and despite its host city being buoyant ahead of a return to the Champions League.
All that leaves Hull KR ace Luckley, who hails from North Shields, convinced it should stay.
He said: “Losing Magic would be disappointing. Personally, I’d be gutted as well.
“I’m interested to see what may replace it as I don’t think there’s anything like this event. It’s a great concept – they’re even doing it in the NRL.
“We’re usually taking ideas from them, so it’s a nice change for it to be the other way around. Newcastle’s been a great host city and as an idea, you should run with it.
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“And I’ve seen rugby league getting more of a foothold in the city. What Newcastle Thunder are doing by creating talent pathways, scholarship, an academy and even a link up with the university is huge.
“There are definitely more kids getting involved. Thunder is doing great work by going into the communities and with a bit more patience, it’ll take off.
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“Newcastle may be a football city but there’s more to it than that. We’re trying now to get more strings to our bow and get more sports to a higher level.
“It’ll take a bit of time but we’re on the way and things like Magic Weekend are great for rugby league in Newcastle and the game as a whole.
“You don’t even have to be a rugby league fan to watch Magic and enjoy the spectacle. The last round saw intense games with nailbiting finishes – hopefully we’ll get more this weekend.”
Prop Luckley is no stranger to feeling the highs at St James’ Park, not least because of his beloved Newcastle United’s success this season.
Last year, he scored a try at the Gallowgate End and replicated Alan Shearer’s iconic celebration.
This time he has another item on his agenda, follow in the footsteps of Eddie Howe’s men against former club Salford – and as they open the event, expect to see him hanging around.
The 27-year-old added: “All my friends and family will be there and we’re the first game on, so hopefully we can start the weekend off right and then I can join them afterwards and chill with them.
“Last year was one of the best moments of my life but I’ve never won at St James’ Park – having pushed Wigan and Warrington close, we can be confident and they’ll be flying.
“And I’d trade my try for a good win there and the ground’s seen a fair bit of winning, I’m buzzing that Champions League football is coming.
“That has put a spring in everyone’s step, everyone’s a bit happier. Newcastle being successful boosts the city and other sports in it.
“And once rugby league takes off, we’ll be flying.”
MAGIC WEEKEND SCHEDULE – ALL GAMES LIVE ON SKY SPORTS ARENA
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TODAY: 1.30pm – Salford v Hull KR; 3.45pm – Wigan v Catalans; 6pm – Leeds v Castleford
TOMORROW: Noon – Wakefield v Leigh; 2.15pm – St Helens v Huddersfield; 4.30pm – Hull v Warrington