This weekend, Newcastle will proudly host the NRLW Magic Round at McDonald Jones Stadium, and what a celebration of women's sports it will be. For the first time ever, all the NRLW teams will take to the field across one action-packed weekend, and there is no better place for it than Newcastle.

Our city lives and breathes football. We are the beating heart of Australian sports. When it comes to backing our teams, no-one does it quite like Novocastrians. That passion runs deep, and it's just as fierce for our women as it is for our men. It was Newcastle that delivered the record crowd of almost 28,000 for the NRLW State of Origin game, and I know it will be Newcastle that delivers record crowds for the Magic Round this weekend. If you haven't got your tickets already, you'd better hurry up before it's sold out.

From grassroots leagues to the elite level, our community backs women in sport 100 per cent. We turn out and drives and we cheer just as loud. We know the power of representation, especially for young watching their heroes and heroines take the field. This Magic Round is more than just sporting event; it's a statement, a celebration of equality, talent and determination.

I want to wish all the players, teams and supporters a fantastic Magic Round.

Let's show the rest of the country how we do in Newcastle.

Go the Knights and go the NRLW.