Magic Weekend is being held at the Etihad Stadiumin Manchester across May 26th-27th.

Almost 50,000 tickets have been snapped up by rugby league fans for the weekend and the Wildcats are set to be backed by it’s largest ever following at the Etihad Stadium, home of newly crowned Premier League Champions Manchester City as the Wildcats prepare to renew rivalries with Castleford Tigers.

Magic Weekend kicks off with three Super League fixtures on Saturday May 26 – including Wakefield v Cas – followed by four games at the same venue on Sunday May 27.

Some ticket price bands are already close to sell out – there is extremely limited availability for Category 2 tickets on Sunday and the full weekend – and with strong demand continuing for the event’s English debut, a bumper crowd is expected on both days.

Gold Members are reminded they only have until this Sunday to take advantage of their 50% discount on day and weekend tickets, which means an adult can watch all three games on the Saturday for just £15.

As well as all the rugby, the popular fanzone will once again be outside the stadium, supporters can sample the Stobart Fest and see every single one of the much talked about Stobart Super League trucks plus it’s just over a mile from the stadium to the heart of Manchester.

Wildcats skipper Steve Southern is looking forward to leading the team out in Manchester.

“It’s all set to be a great weekend and one I’m really looking forward to being part of for the first time this year,” said Southern.

“Our support home and away this year has been great and given the boys a lift so to have more of our fans than ever before at Magic Weekend will be a boost for everyone.

“We were pretty dreadful against Cas on Good Friday so we’re looking to really rip in at Magic and put that right this time around.”

The 2012 Magic Weekend schedule in full is:

Saturday May 26

1.00pm – Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

4.00pm – Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings

7.00pm – Hull FC v Hull KR

Sunday May 27

12.00pm – Catalan Dragons v London Broncos

2.00pm – Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds

4.00pm – Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos

6.00pm – St Helens v Wigan Warriors

Details on tickets and fantastic value travel can be found by clicking HERE.

Buy your tickets by visiting the Wildcats Retail Store in the Ridings Shopping Centre, call 01924 201548 or come to the Box Office at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

Ali Lauitiiti will be joined at the Fans Forum by Danny Kirmond and Paul Aiton.

Get a mid-season report on all areas of your club as the Wildcats prepare for the second half of the campaign starting that very weekend against Warrington Wolves (May 20^th).

It will be your chance to put questions to first team players Danny Kirmond, Ali Lauitiiti and Paul Aiton plus quiz Head Coach Richard Agar, Chairman Andrew Glover and Chief Executive James Elston on everything that has gone on so far this season both on and off the pitch.

Doors to CATS Bar will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start and entry is free to all supporters.

Whether it be the latest on the playing squad and youth development or an update on stadium developments and Club 1873, don’t miss your chance to ask the questions.

It’s your opportunity to set the agenda and ask the questions you want answered by the key decision makers at your club, and to ask some of the Wildcats first team players how they feel the season has gone so far and their aims for the second half of the campaign.

If you would like any particular aspect of the club covered then tweet us at @WTWildcatsRL or visit our Facebook page.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

The Wildcat Dolls have entered a team to compete.

One of the first teams to organise themselves was a group comprising of our very own Wildcats Dolls who have entered a team to compete in the event leading up to Wakefield’s home clash with Hull FC. A number of our dance team have experience in the touch leagues and will fancy their chances against fellow Wildcats fans.

The idea of the occasion is to promote a healthy lifestyle through playing touch rugby and there is no better way than doing so by running around your favourite clubs pitch. Men and women of all abilities aged 16 and over have been joining up for games of 5-a-side rugby for the first event which is in conjunction with ‘Race for Life’.

Trinity are once again involved in the ‘Play for Life’ sister event ‘Race for Life’ which takes place at Thornes Park on May 27^th. A proportion of the money raised in the first ever event at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium will be going to Cancer Research UK.

It is just £10 to take part and that includes a ‘Play for Life’ t-shirt, match ticket for the encounter with the Airlie Birds and of course the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf at your club.. No matter of your background, a team full of friends, family or work friends can compete at the inaugural event. You can also join by yourself and make new mates by joining a team on the day.

Squads can be mixed and touch rugby is a great way to stay fit, burn calories and most of all a good social occasion.

The deadline for the event is Friday 1^st June so if you fancy your chances up against the Wildcats Dolls, owning a ‘Play for Life’ t-shirt and match ticket for £10 do not hesitate to contact the Wildcats Community Trust team on 01924 211611 or email claremarlow@wakefieldwildcats.co.uk

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

The Wildcats are looking for front of house and bar staff.

The successful applicants will work as bar staff at Wildcats home fixtures and at further functions as required with a good rates of pay.

Previous experience of bar work is desired but not essential as training will be provided.  Applicants must be aged 18 or over.

Please e-mail your CV to info@wakefieldwildcats.co.uk and mark your e-mail ‘FAO Rick Rudge’.

Don’t forget, for all your recruitment needs contact the Wildcats official recruitment partners, m2r Ltd.  Visit www.m2r.co.uk for all their details and how they can help find you work, or find the ideal person for your vacancy.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

Home and away shirts reduced in time for Manchester Magic

Saturday 26^th May see’s the popular event move to Lancashire and adult replica shirts are now reduced to £29.99 with a saving of £15 on this season’s home and away jerseys.

Junior shirts are also reduced to £29.99 with a saving of £10 on the home and away strip which are manufactured by fi-ta.

With the summer around the corner we have reduced our home and away shorts to just £5. Whether you are enjoying a lazy day around the house or a trip to the gym make sure you standout with your Wildcats merchandise.

Our baby replica shirt has also been slashed to £24.99 so make sure your child will be a Wildcat for life. There are also many items for £20 or under in our retail outlets either in the Riding Centre, the Box Office or online at http://www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/store/

This Sunday Trinity face Warrington Wolves at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium with it being the last chance for Gold Members to take advantage of discount on Magic Weekend tickets.

Prices are currently £15 for Gold Members for a day ticket on Saturday when the Wildcats face rivals Castleford Tigers. Travel is also just £9 for a coach that will make sure you see all three matches at the home of the Premier League Champions.

Travel is also available for non-members priced at £10.  For full Magic Weekend prices click HERE.

Buy yours in the Ridings Centre Store, the Rapid Solicitors Stadium Box Office or call 01924 201548.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

You have a chance of winning tickets to the Crooked Ways Festival if you're part of Club 1873.

The Crooked Ways festival will be staged in Pontefract Park on Saturday 26^th May and will feature the likes of Reverend and the Makers, Sunshine Underground and Razorlight plus many more fantastic acts.

All members of Club 1873 will go into a draw to win four tickets for the festival next Friday (18^th May) for their chance to sample the inaugural Crooked Ways one-day festival in what is the first of monthly spot prizes.

Crooked Ways is an independent music festival, named in homage to an early 20th Century book, The Town of Crooked Ways, which satirises life in Pontefract.

There will also be a host of VIP special guests from the world of entertainment making the trip to West Yorkshire to enjoy the show.

The line up includes:

Mainstage – Razorlight, Reverend and the Makers, King Charles, Hyde & Beast, Skint & Demoralised, The Bishops, Feral Brood and local competition winner All We Know.

The Institution – Sunshine Underground, The Whip, The Blood Arm, Wet Nuns, Chris Helme, Club Smith, Redwire, Nice Sharp Pencils and Daniel Sheehy.

The festival will also feature the Crooked Ways Presents stage, which aims to promote the best of local up-and-coming talent.

The acts to play Crooked Ways Presents are:

Arithmia, Awooga, Cor Amor, Daisy Cutter, Fourth Time Believers, Glass Caves, Jacks Attic, Kate Douglas, Lee Tappin (Ex-New Delamores), Penguin, Piskie Sits, Road to Horizon, Route 19, The Air Was Thick.

For  your chance to win this fantastic prize plus regular daily prizes sign up now from just £2 a week by visiting the Ridings Centre Store, the Rapid Solicitors Stadium Box Office or call 01924 211611.

All the money generated by Club 1873 goes into the clubs highly regarded youth development programme that nurtures local talent ready for the first team at YOUR club.

This week’s Club 1873 winning numbers are 04, 05, 09 and 27.

There was no winner of the £1,250 jackpot but seven members did win £20 with congratulations to Gordon Brown, Jason Whiteley, Nicholas Cawthorn, Peter Jackson, Michael Gomersall and Michael Scholey.

For a full list of this week’s other prize winners make sure you’re following the Club 1873 Twitter account @Club1873

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

FleetMaster OSS Ltd. are supporting the new project designed to help get young people into employment.

Targeting youngsters aged between 16 and 24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEETs) the three-week programmes at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium will provide those that sign up with qualifications that will vastly improve their chances of gaining employment.

Supported by local company FleetMaster OSS Ltd, the Trust team will deliver workshops that will lead to BTEC qualifications in both work and functional skills plus a qualification in accredited learning.

Those that sign up will have the chance to meet the Wildcats first team squad, be given a Gold Membership for the rest of the season and gain an insight into the workings of a rugby club behind the scenes whilst there will also be the opportunity for volunteering roles within the club following the conclusion of the three weeks.

The number of NEETs in the last government figures released stood at just short of 1 million, down fractionally on a number that was at its highest for over a decade at the end of 2011.

Further figures also show that 15% of people between the age of 16-24 who fall into the bracket of NEET die within ten years of falling out of the education and work system making the project being undertaken by the Trust one of huge importance as pinpointed by Wildcats Director of Education, Mark Winder.

“Unemployment throughout the country is an issue but particularly for young people within the Wakefield District. Recent statistics show that 14% of 16-24 year olds in Wakefield are NEET,” explained Winder.

“After leaving school, if people don’t attend college or find themselves an apprenticeship they’re almost left to their own devices and it can prove very difficult to get back into the system once you’re out of it.”

“By providing this free course we’re enabling young people to make themselves more employable, give them a greater understanding of what it’s like in the workplace and ultimately allow them to make a positive contribution to society. This is the first of many initiatives that we are looking at to support young people who are NEET.”

The first of the courses begins on Monday 21^st May and anyone wishing to sign up can call Semi Tadulala on 01924 211611, e-mail semitadulala@wakefieldwildcats.co.uk or visit the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

Andy Ellis has joined Featherstone Rovers on a month's loan.

Ellis has made two appearances for the Wildcats in 2012 in the defeats to Wigan Warriors on Easter Monday and most recently at Langtree Park against St. Helens.

The former Harlequins RL, Barrow Raiders and Hull KR man will spend the next month available to Daryl Powell with no recall option for Trinity Head Coach Richard Agar who says it is important that Ellis plays competitive rugby given his lack of game time so far this campaign.

“Game time has been hard to come by for Andy, particularly with the form of Paul Aiton, and when he has played he has probably been a little undercooked as a result,” said Agar.

“Despite his lack of matches he’s been a model professional, never let his head go down and worked his hardest every day.”

“We see this as a great opportunity to get some time out on the field in a good side and help him strengthen his claims for a place when he returns.”

Featherstone Rovers Head Coach Daryl Powell said on the signing: “We are delighted to welcome Andy to Featherstone Rovers.

“He is a quality addition to our squad and will provide competition for places at a crucial time of the season. We have been aware of his ability for some time, he brings a wealth of experience and look forward to his impact on our team.”

Ellis’ loan deal will begin from next week, meaning he is not eligible for Featherstone’s game with Batley Bulldogs this weekend.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

Ben Cockayne will be in the Ridings Centre Store from 1pm.

There will be two players in-store for every hour between 11 and 2 including Ben Cockayne, Tim Smith and Kyle Wood to sign shirts, pose for pictures and for you to chat with.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to pick up your Magic Weekend tickets for the derby showdown with Castleford Tigers at the Etihad Stadium on May 26th.

Gold Members are reminded that if they want to take advantage of the 50% discount on Magic tickets then they must do so before May 20th so this weekend is one of your last chances to save money on what will be another spectacular feast of rugby in Manchester.

You can also get your hands on a Summer Saver ticket meaning you can watch four Wildcats games for £50 this summer including the big games against St. Helens and Champions Leeds Rhinos.  Find full details HERE.

See four great Wildcats games for only £50 this summer.

What’s more, for one day only there will be £10 off all adult home and away replica shirts so you can be kitted out in the red, white and blue for the rest of the season.  The club took stock of new shirts just a few weeks ago so all sizes are available including baby sizes, with £5 off junior and baby sizes for Saturday only.

Visit the Ridings Centre Store on Saturday between 11am and 2pm to meet first team players, get money off replica shirts and pick up your Magic Weekend and Summer Saver tickets.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

Jon Robinson celebrating as he crosses the line the last time he attempted the challenge for CAP.

Jon Robinson will attempt to run the marathon distance around Wakefield and in the process visit 16 local schools as he raises money for the Community Awareness Programme (CAP) in the city.

CAP was set up to raise awareness of the problems of needy people in the city and work with other service providers to offer help in the form of everything from food parcels and clothes to CV’s and accommodation.

It is part funded by the Big Lottery Fund but also requires around £30,000 of further money to sustain the project each year.

The charity was an initiative born out of New Life Christian Church where Jon is the Pastor but has expanded to meet the growing need for caring for needy people in Wakefield.

Jon will begin at Greenhill Primary School at 9.30am on Friday morning, finishing at the Cathedral of All Saints Church at approximately 1.45pm with school children set to greet him at each stop off point and present him with a cap after each school ran a competition amongst pupils to design one for a different leg of the journey and each child contributed a pound to the cause.

Around 7,000 school children in total are set to greet Jon along the route as he strives to raise £8,000 for the charity by running what will be his eighth marathon and his second along this route after becoming the first person to run a marathon in Wakefield a couple of years ago.

The winning designers will then be at the finish line to greet Jon and be presented with a certificate, as will Daddy Cool and members of the Wildcats first team squad.

Every step of the way Jon will be joined by a member of the Wildcats Community Trust team as the club play their part in supporting a fantastic effort for an important local charity and he is delighted with the support of the Wildcats.

“It’s great that the Community Trust have got on board with this and are forming a link with a charity that does a lot for people in Wakefield who need help,” commented Jon.

“To have someone running with me every step of the way will be a great help – they’ll just have to go at my pace!”

Wildcats fans can donate to the run by text, with 50% of the money raised by SMS donations going to the Wildcats Community Trust and the other 50% going to CAP.

To donate please text CAPW16 or HTUG27 plus the amount (eg £1) to 70070.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

Matt James has been given a one game suspension by the RFL disciplinary committee.

James was charged with the use of the elbow on Carl Forster in the 35th minute against St. Helens last Friday night.

A Grade B offence carries a suspension of 1-2 games but James was given just a single game ban meaning he misses the visit of Warrington Wolves but will be free to face rivals Castleford Tigers at Magic Weekend in Manchester.

Castleford’s Ryan McGoldrick was also in front of the disciplinary committee and was given a two-game ban and will be unavailable when the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium.

The club does not plan to appeal the committee’s decision.

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

Kyle Amor and Danny Kirmond will be there from the Wildcats.

The RFL, in-conjunction with BBC Radio Leeds, is broadcasting the event at South Leeds Stadium from 6pm on Wednesday May 16.

BBC Radio Leeds sports presenters James Deighton and Gareth Jones will be hosting the show in the build up to the Magic Weekend – seven Super League matches all under one roof – at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester on the weekend of May 26-27.

If you would like FREE tickets to be in the audience, you need to do the following:

Email fansforum@rfl.uk.com include (BBC Radio Leeds Fans Forum) in the subject line with your NAME, ADDRESS (including postcode), TELEPHONE NUMBER, plus the number of tickets you would like (up to a maximum of four).

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.