SPORTS SHORTS

GOSFORTH takewondo starlet Cairan McGovern hopes to take a step closer to representing his country this weekend. The 17-year-old (pictured left ) - the junior national under-68 kilo champion last year is contesting the second part of a competition called Fighting Chance in Manchester. Should he be successful, the Team Warrior Taekwondo Club member is set to be invited onto the Great Britain Development Squad - and that could eventually lead to a place in the senior GB team. ■■GATESHEAD Hockey Club is holding a “Welcome to a New Season” session on Sunday (1.304.00) at Dunston’s Kingsmeadow School for anyone interested in joining or takign up the sport.

For more details go to www. gatesheadhockey.com, e-mail gatesheadhoc@gmail.com or ring 07946 355 766. ■■DURHAM starlets Solomon Bell and Oliver Gibson were part of the North squad which lost in the final of the T20 competiton at the ECB Super-Fours youth cricket competiiton at Loughborough. ■■EUROPEAN bronze medalwinning boxer Calum French has backed a campaign aimed at encouraging people to become more active. The 23-year-old from Gateshead (pictured) took part in the two-kilometre Town Moor Junior Park Run in Newcastle alongside dozens of youngsters. ■■KIRKWOOD face Northern Rangers in the final of the North East Midweek Cricket League’s Just Sport Cup at Percy Main CC on Sunday (2.30).

Earlier, at 11.30, NE Tamils meet Eaga Old Boys in the Paddlers Plate decider.