Son of ex-St Helens forward John Stankevitch gets Super League scholarship

It seems that rugby league does run in the family.

The likes of Leon Pryce, Ellery Hanley and Kevin Sinfield have all witnessed their sons make their debuts for their Super League sides – although Jack Sinfield’s was in a friendly – and it seems to be a recurring theme with Keith Mason’s son, Lukas, signing on scholarship terms with Wigan Warriors.

Now, it’s the turn of St Helens legend John Stankevitch to move along in his son’s path to becoming a professional rugby league player.

Son, Oliver, has been signed on to the St Helens scholarship side, with John sending out a message on his Instagram: “Very proud of Oliver. He has his chance on scholarship at St Helens for 2022/2023 season. Big couple of years ahead but we all believe in him.”

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Stankevitch himself played for Saints between 2000 and 2004, registering almost 150 appearances before making the move to the Widnes Vikings where he retired after suffering a serious neck and shoulder injury.

The former second-rower also had coaching spells at Doncaster, Widnes and Rochdale – as well as Russia.