Held a year to the day that Cramlington Rockets was named RFL National Club of the Year, the club were proud to celebrate another year of growth and achievements that were both numerous and wide ranging.

With all the junior age groups form U8s to U16s present, the night recognised the efforts of players, volunteers and coaches.

Amongst the greatest achievements recognised was the success of the U16s Black squad who spent the season playing in the Yorkshire Premier Division where they finished third. They also reached the quarter final of the National Cup and the Final of the Yorkshire Challenge Cup.

With 20+ players featuring in the Newcastle Thunder Academy set up, the club also celebrated a England Youth call up for Nathan Clemmitt and fellow U16 Alex Donaghy being named a Sport Newcastle Rising Star, an honour previously won by the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Paul Gascoigne.

Amongst the North East competitions, the U14s transformed their winless 2017 season into one where they reached two finals, and the U12s won the North East Cup.

It was not al about silverware though, with the night equally celebrating the fantastic number of Rocket Tots who have progressed to the U8s set up and the U10s, of which 75% had never played rugby league before this season.

The club’s prestigious Community Champion award went to Phil Stephenson for his work across all age groups despite being the U12s coach, and the President’s Award, which honours those who represent the values of the Rockets went to U16s Team Manager, Stephen Lamb, for his work with both U16s age groups this season.

In his welcome address, Chairman Jeff Ball was full of praise for the efforts of everyone involved and shared an insight into his time working with the city to bid for the Rugby League World Cup 2021.

“It’s because of how enthusiastically you support rugby league both at Magic Weekend and generally that the rest of the UK is looking at us and the North East, which I am incredibly proud of” he told those in attendance.

“it has been another brilliant year and if Magic returns and we are successful in the World Cup bid, the next few years are set to be very exciting.”

Award nominees in full (*denotes winner)

U8s
Players’ Player: Ollie Jones*, Archie Hall, Dylan Atkins, Jamie Ramsey
Coaches’ Player: Ollie Jones, Archie Hall, Matthew Jordan*, Toby Portlock
Rocket Man: Zane Verceuil, Ewan Maddison*, Evan Blackett, Connor Mitchell

U10s
Players’ Player: Will Maddison, Leon Stackhouse*, Jack Portlock, Cameron Collier
Coaches’ Player: Jayden Bond, Leon Stackhouse, Thomas Brogan*, Jack Portlock
Rocket Man: Cody Bond, Max Wells, Liam McAll*, Jack Appleby
Best attendance: Henry Black

U12s
Players’ Player: Cameron Cullen, Lochlan Thomson, Alfie Taggart*, Ben Nicholson
Coaches’ Player: Henry Stephenson, Ryan Shaw*, Olly Haugh, Finlay Lawless
Rocket Man: Taylor Dixon, Adam Russell, Charlie Potts*, Sammy Carr

U14s
Players’ Player: Isaac Keller Jordan Webster, Owen Hayton, Matthew Webster*
Coaches’ Player: Finlay Wilkinson, Bobby Young*, Jordan Webster, Matthew Webster
Rocket Man: Adam Rogers, Owen Hayton*, James Snowden, Liam Hardy

U16s Orange
Players’ Player: Kain Gauit, Corban Langwell, Jack Bowman, Ciaran Conlon*
Coaches’ Player: Corban Langwell*, Korban Ruler, Kian Gauit
Rocket Man: Adam Snowden, Korban Ruler, Kieran Robbins*

U16s Black
Players’ Player: Jack Allen, Isaac Nokes, Lewis How, Alex Donaghy*,
Coaches’ Player: Jack Allen*, Mark Roberts, Nathan Clemmitt, Will Todd
Rocket Man: Lewis Howe, Danny Glover, Ollie Robinson, Isaac Nokes*

Community Champion: Phil Stephenson

President’s Award: Stephen Lamb