Adam Watene Fund



Following Adam Watene’s untimely death on 13th October 2008 a Fund was set up to enable monies to be raised to help secure the future of his young children, Arana and Ena.



To date, the Fund has received numerous donations from not only the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats & Castleford Tigers fans, but from many members of the wider ‘Rugby League’ family and general public. The family have been overwhelmed at the support shown to them and have been deeply touched at the generosity and support that has been given to Adam’s Fund.



We are pleased to announce that, Wakefield Trinity Rugby League FC have been successful in their application for Adam Watene to be awarded a Posthumous Testimonial by the Rugby Football League.



The Testimonial will officially start on the 1st December 2008 and will finish on the 30 November 2009. The Fund is in the process of finalising a number of Events that will not only raise money for Adam’s young family, but it will also endeavour to be a celebration of Adam’s Career and Life.



In addition to the Events several items of merchandise will be produced which will be on sale over the course of the year. We are hoping to finalise a list of merchandise which should be fitting, to a great servant of our game and City.



Awareness Wrist Bands have been produced and will soon be on sale in the Wakefield & Castleford Club shops for £2 and all proceeds will go directly to the Fund. . The wrist bands will also be on sale at all testimonial events or direct from Committee members Sue Parker, Jason Demetriou, Willie and Maraea Poching, Martin Sowerby and Clr Clive Hudson.



Squad Captain and Fund Committee Member, Jason Demetriou states,‘The Fund has a number of quality events that they will be organising and promoting. We want to ensure that the types of events we organise encapsulate the down to earth, family man that Adam was’.



Kicking the calendar off, will be a donation from gate proceeds from of Boxing Day Clash between the Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Headingly. Both clubs are very generously donating £1 for every paying supporter that attends the Boxing Day clash. In addition a bucket collection has been organised prior to the game by supporters of both clubs.



There is also to be a Charity half football/ half tag rugby game on Sunday 11 January at Belle Vue featuring members of the cast of Emmerdale Cast as well as a whole host of sports personalities past and present vs a Wakefield/Cas team. Entry is £5.00 and tickets are available at the club shop now.



Perhaps most fittingly arranged, is a match between the two main club’s Adam played for during his time in England. On the 25th January, Castleford & Wakefield will play a ‘Friendly for ‘The Adam Watene Memorial Cup’. Teams will play for a specially designed Cup that represents Adam’s cultural backgrounds and family. This will be an emotional game between two sets of Clubs and Supporters with whom Adam was extremely popular.



Adams family will also be guests of honour at a Curry Night to be held in Cats Bar on Thursday 22 January. JD recalls ‘Adam came to the Curry Night organised for Johnny Thompson. There was food, laughter and entertainment. It would be fitting to re-create that night knowing Adam enjoyed the last one so much’. Tickets will be priced at £20 per head and are available by sending a cheque to the address below.



Members of the Fund would also like to make the public aware that they ARE the official Fund recognised by Adam’s family, and encourage anyone wishing to show support for Adam’s family to contact the Fund.

Once again we would like to thank all of those who have shown their support and look forward to a bumper year for Adams family.



Donations can still be made by sending cheques payable to Adam Watene Fund c/o 16 Pinders Grove, Wakefield WF1 4AH or by donation direct to the Adam Watene Fund ,Yorkshire Bank Account Number 27197146 sort code 05-09-62..

Thanks to that last post by feline, i can donate now! 2 weeks ago I did a "guest chef night" at the local pub for 25 people, all the profits from the night i am going to donate to the fund!

Thanks that is a great gesture. Let us know the name of your pub and some deatils of your event.

Something feline said on another thread got me thinking.

There was a collection for the Adam Watene Fund in my local and I was asked to knock up a poster (below).

Please feel free to use it if you can – PM me if you want me to email you a copy

Thats great!

There's more.......

Cue BIG AL!!!!!

A message from our friends over in Hudds. I would like to announce that we are organising a sponsored walk from the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield to your very own Belle Vue Stadium. The walk will take place on Sunday the 24th May 2009 prior to the big game! We plan to leave at 9.30am to enable plenty of rest periods to take on fluids .......... along the way. The proceeds of the walk will be going towards the fund set up for the family of the sadly missed Adam Watene. Everyone felt the shockwaves in the RL world and we thought that if we could do this to contribute and also as a tribute to Adam, that we could unite as RL fans and do the walk together. If you would like to join us, please email me at email.hgisa@ntlworld.com with your name, address and contact number. I will gladly forward you a sponsor form which we should have before mid February. Finally, please note that the walk is approximately 16 miles so please only do it if you feel that you are fit & healthy enough. Looking forward to seeing you all. SCOTT REID P.S. If anyone would like to contribute any form of corporate sponsorship towards the walk, it would be very welcome. Thankyou all.

A message from our friends over in Hudds. I would like to announce that we are organising a sponsored walk from the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield to your very own Belle Vue Stadium. The walk will take place on Sunday the 24th May 2009 prior to the big game! We plan to leave at 9.30am to enable plenty of rest periods to take on fluids .......... along the way. The proceeds of the walk will be going towards the fund set up for the family of the sadly missed Adam Watene. Everyone felt the shockwaves in the RL world and we thought that if we could do this to contribute and also as a tribute to Adam, that we could unite as RL fans and do the walk together. If you would like to join us, please email me at email.hgisa@ntlworld.com with your name, address and contact number. I will gladly forward you a sponsor form which we should have before mid February. Finally, please note that the walk is approximately 16 miles so please only do it if you feel that you are fit & healthy enough. Looking forward to seeing you all. SCOTT REID P.S. If anyone would like to contribute any form of corporate sponsorship towards the walk, it would be very welcome. Thankyou all.

Sponser forms can be downloaded from the website, follow the link in my sig

There are Sponsor Forms now available for Download on the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Web site under the Adam Watene Fund section, Anybody can join in with the walks scheduled no matter what team you support & help out a worthy cause,There are 3 walks scheduled but sponsored walkers only have to walk at least 1 walk if there wish

Set off Times will be announced nearer the time anybody wishing any more details PLZ PM me.



Acko

Mick Atkinson

can you please pm me all the details, im sure i will be able to get you recognisable faces on the walk. please send to my email address supersaints34@hotmail.com

can you please pm me all the details, im sure i will be able to get you recognisable faces on the walk. please send to my email address supersaints34@hotmail.com

Thought you guys might be interested in this message i got from Ex-Cas legend (and occasional Wakey player coach!

) Adrian Vowles:



The Trades and Labour Hire Burleigh Bears and Wynnum Manly, will on Saturday be playing for the Adam Watene Memorial Trophy, donated kindly by the Burleigh Leagues Club. Adam Watene (Cook) played for both clubs and was a very popular figure particularly at the Bears. Adam played 24 games for the Gold Coast Vikings, 22 games for Wynnum Manly and 83 games for the Burleigh Bears in his QLD Cup career. Adam played in the Burleigh Bears 2004 QLD Cup Grand Final victory against East’s Tigers before moving to the UK to play with Castleford, Bradford and his last club Wakefield Trinity. Adam was a cult hero at Castleford and Wakefield due to his massive frame and bullock like runs.



Adam passed away suddenly last year over in the UK, at the age of 31 leaving behind his wife Moana and two children Arana and Ena. Adam still has many friends and relatives on the Gold Coast and many of them will be present at the game on Saturday along with Moana and the kids to present the trophy to the winning team



It is only fitting that both clubs play for the trophy in Adam's name and also know that his legacy will live on for many years to come.





Regards



Adrian Vowles

CEO

Burleigh Bears RLFC

Thanks delboy, great to hear