Turner reflects on testimonial

Turner’s Jamaica side took on the young stars of the England Knights with Paul Anderson’s team eventually coming away with a 56-4 win on the night.

Reflecting on a special event, the 32-year-old stated that walking out to a guard of honour with his two children is a moment he will never forget.

“It was a special occasion. Playing my testimonial at my home ground at Cas, where I have had some really fond memories already and I feel like I am part of the furniture here, that was special,” Turner told castlefordtigers.com.

“The fact that I got to captain Jamaica and to walk out with my kids was special. My family were in the stands as well, so it was a night to savour for me. The occasion is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and I would like to thank everyone who helped put it on.

“It was an occasion for all of my family who have been there since day one and stood on the side-lines in the cold when I was a kid as well as driving me up and down the country. We didn’t come from a wealthy background, but they always bought me my boots and I was always looked after so I owe them an awful lot.”

“I would also like to thank all of the fans who came out and showed their support, I really do appreciate it.”

Jamaica qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever back in 2018, which makes them the first Caribbean nation to do so.

The Reggae Warriors include some exciting Super League talent in their ranks with Jordan himself, as well as Huddersfield’s Ashton Golding and Michael Lawrence both pulling on the yellow and green jersey.

Turner explained that captaining Jamaica on debut was a proud moment and is looking ahead to a bright future with his international side.

“Making my Jamaica debut was always something I wanted to do because I have been with Jamaica now for three years and I haven’t managed to get a game because of one thing or another. It was great to finally pull the jersey on and get out there with the boys because they have been part of the journey longer than I have.

“I am still trying to integrate myself within the group, but they have all been really welcoming and I enjoy their company and taking to the field with them. I’m looking forward to what the future brings with Jamaica because there is a lot of stuff to be excited about with the World Cup coming up.”

The Cas man’s national team is largely made up of part-time players who proudly represent clubs up and down the leagues in the UK.

Jordan claimed that seeing the determination and drive it takes to play rugby at a high standard alongside work commitments is inspirational.

“With a few of the lads being semi-professional, some of them would come into training then go back to work, some came to the game from work, and it was sort of a reality check for me of what those part-time boys have to do.

“The fact they always put the effort in, I take my hat off to them and I’d do anything for them on the field because I respect what they do.”

2022 is an exciting year for the sport as the Rugby League World Cup comes to England from October 15 to November 19. With the World Cup on the horizon, Turner put forward that he is focussed on having another solid season with the Fords before turning his attention to his national team.

“The World Cup is going to be exciting for us but there is a lot that is going on between then and now, I don’t really like to look too far ahead. I am looking to get back into pre-season and get myself in good shape because we have got a lot of good things going on at Cas.

“It is an exciting year for us and hopefully I can go into the World Cup on the back of a good year and with some silverware.”

RAFFLE UPDATE

On Friday night, there was a prize raffle and the winning numbers have yet to claim their prizes!

The winning numbers were: 275 for the Castleford shirt and 351 for Jordan Turner’s match-worn testimonial jersey.

Please contact the club if you have those winning tickets, if the prizes are not claimed by Monday, 1st November, they will be given away randomly to 2022 Castleford Tigers members the following week.