NELSON Bay rugby warrior Jake Affleck is relishing his leadership role with the Gropers’ first grade team in the Hunter Suburban Rugby Presidents Cup series. The industrious prop has started the club’s 2026 campaign in cracking form with non-stop performances in a combative forward pack. There was no stopping the inspirational skipper last Saturday when […]

PREPARATIONS for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Newcastle will ramp up early, with Japan and Ireland confirmed for an international rugby Test at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 11 July 2026. Japan’s head coach Eddie Jones was in Newcastle last week to make the announcement, with the fixture forming part of the lead-up to […]

IT is back to the drawing board for the injury-stricken Northern Hawks first grade team in the 2026 Newcastle Rugby League Denton Engineering Cup series. Steve Simpson’s charges suffered their second loss of the season last Sunday after a 40-12 drubbing at the hands of South Newcastle at Townson Oval. There was no stopping the […]

NEWCASTLE Jets coach Mark Milligan is urging his players to write their name into the history books as the minor premiers look to seal an A-League Men grand final berth on home soil. The two-legged semi-final showdown between Sydney and Newcastle is delicately poised after they fought out a 1-1 draw at Allianz Stadium on […]

Nelson Bay rugby prop Nathan McLeay receives his 100th senior games jacket from club president Gavin Rocher. Nelson Bay flanker Hayden Wilson charges into the Cooks Hill defence supported by prop Nathan McLeay. PORT Stephens rugby identities Brad and Nathan McLeay have etched their names into Nelson Bay Rugby Club folklore.  In a major milestone, […]

REJUVENATED Northern Hawks have chalked up another milestone in the 2026 Newcastle Rugby League Denton Engineering Cup premiership. In a major achievement for the fledgling club, the high flying Hawks recorded their first-ever victory over the Cessnock Goannas in the top grade last weekend to continue the team’s bright start to the season. The injury-riddled […]

JAY Bye-Norris has achieved a myriad of success on lawn bowling greens around the country. The former national champion, who now calls Port Stephens “home,” has proved a sensational recruit for the mighty Raymond Terrace Jets this season. Playing alongside world class bowlers such as Lee Schraner and Matt Baus in a star-studded Jets team […]

SWIMMING North Coast members have achieved top results at the Australian Multi-Class Age Championships on the Gold Coast. Members of swimming clubs from across the North Coast took on the best in Australia. The Australian Multi-Class Age Championships is a competition for swimmers with a disability. Swimmers are classified according to their type of disability, […]

TWIN brothers Peter and Gerard Raper didn’t need to look far for tips on forward play during their childhood rugby league days. When your older brother happens to be a rugby league Immortal and regarded as the best lock forward to have ever pulled on a jumper, you simply soak up any advice. St George […]

WOMEN’S State of Origin fever has gripped the Port Stephens region with Raymond Terrace golden girl Olivia Higgins a key figure in the 2026 NSW Sky Blues rugby league squad. The Newcastle Knights international hooker gets another opportunity to impress in the Origin arena after missing the 2025 series that was claimed by the Blues. […]