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Adam Watene Fund
LATEST EVENTS
Adam Watene Cricket Match- August 2009
The committee of the Adam Watene Fund would like to say a big thank you to St Michaels CC for hosting the Adam Watene Cricket Day on Sunday 9th August.
A big thank you to the Players team consisting of JD, Aaron Murphy, Dale Ferguson, Michael Korkidas, Ben Jeffries, Semi Tadulala, Matt Blaymire, Sam Obst, Frank Winterstein, Tevita Leo-Latu, Damien Blanch, Willie Poching and watched by James Stosic & David Solomona as well as a good crowd.
St Michaels were the winners of the immensely competitive 30 over game. Spectators were thrilled at the big hitting little man Sam Obst who hit three massive 6's in an attempt to win the game.
Of course a game involving the Wildcats would not be the same without some controversial decisions, this time from Umpires Norman Hazell & Geoff Hodgson.
But the game was played in great spirit and was a fitting tribute to the big man.
Thanks to all who helped on the day and to Clarks Brewery & Unison for their support.
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There is still an element of shock over the death of fans favourite, Adam Watene. As many of you are already aware, soon after Adam’s death, a Fund was set up to help raise monies for Adam’s young family. However, Wakefield Wildcats were subsequently successful in their application to the Rugby Football League to have Adam granted a Posthumous Testimonial.
Having initially being formed to act as a central point of collections for donations for the Watene Family, the Fund Committee have been doubly charged to act as a Testmonial Committee to help celebrate, honour and pay homage to Adam’s Rugby Career.
The Committee, comprises of Former Team mates Jason Demetriou, Frank Watene, family friends Cllr Clive Hudson, Willie and Maraea Poching along with well known Wakefield stalwarts Sue Parker and Martin Sowerby. They have been working to ensure that Adam’s name is recognised, not simply for the tragedy surrounding his death, but for the contribution he made to the Game of Rugby League.
The Fund have kick started their campaign with the sale of Adam Watene Memorial Wristbands and Pin Badges. The Players also ‘dug deep’ to co-ordinate the production and sale of Wildcat Hunks Calendars, the proceeds of which will go directly to the Fund, and other ‘local’ teams Leeds and Castleford have contributed by shared gate donations to the Fund to the value of approximately £1 per ticket during pre-season ‘friendlies’. There have also been bucket collections held at Leeds, Halifax and Saint Helens.
The Fund is looking to make a ‘permanent’ mark of honour to Adam. This has been helped with the aid of Castleford Tigers agreeing to play an annual fixture for the Adam Watene Memorial Cup which was (unfortunately) won in its inception by Castleford. Further to be released this year will be a Testimonial Brochure outlining highlights of Adam’s Career both in the United Kingdom , Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
Other events in the pipeline are as follows:
Wednesday 19th August 2009 – Corporate Golf Day @ Wakefield Golf Course in Lupset
In organising these events however, it is important to recognise that many people have already given their support to the family and the Fund. The Watene family have received overwhelming support from Rugby League Fans both near AND far. It has also come from, numerous Superleague and National League clubs and numerous local companies.
Both Adam’s Family and the Fund Committee are extremely grateful to all those who have donated their time, effort and money to helping us in our endeavours. Without this continued support we could not have achieved all that we have.
Thank you.
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