The Northumberland-based club offered a full Geordie welcome to the Super League circus when it rolled into town last year, catching the eye with hundreds of members dressed head to toe in orange and black, the club’s colours.

With 550 tickets sold for this year’s event, they have managed to surpass last year’s equally impressive total of 500.

With hundreds of Rockets also set to descend on Kingston Park for the Magic Friday match between Newcastle Thunder and York City Knights and the club’s U11s set for mascot duties for Saturday’s opening match between Widnes Vikings and Salford City Reds, Magic Weekend promises to once again enjoy an orange tinge.

“Excitement and disbelief” says Chairman, Jeff Ball when asked what he felt during last year’s event.

“To see Newcastle covered in Super League fans all enjoying themselves was amazing, as was the chance for our members to meet the stars of the sport so naturally we were thrilled when we learnt it was returning for 2016.”

“For the club and the North East game, it was a big, big moment. There is a lot of good work and potential in the region and magic Weekend being here last year has definitely helped us progress.”

“Rugby league is a national game that is unfairly judged as being only in the heartlands of Lancashire and Yorkshire. That’s just not true.”

“At the Rockets we now have 230 players from Tots to adults, have had a number of players represent England at a junior level and had three players make their full Newcastle Thunder debut back in January.”

Ball continued: “It is only by having the opportunity to be a part of the biggest rugby league events and getting support from the RFL and Super League that we can continue to spread the gospel across the North East.”

“There is definitely a requirement to keep the momentum going in future years but for now, we have already started the Magic party as we went along to the Magic Weekend launch event with Sam Tomkins and Michael Shenton.”

“Our junior players loved that, as did the parents! In between some questionable attempts at a Geordie accent, both Sam and Michael had some really good messages for the players.”

And that is what Magic is all about ultimately. Giving people a fun day out and inspiring the next generation."