Tragic death of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Adam Watene
The sudden death of Adam Watene, the Wakefield forward, at the cruelly young age of 31 has shocked and saddened the rugby league world. Watene was doing a weights session in the gym after returning from holiday in the United States with his wife and two children when he collapsed on Monday. Efforts to revive him proved futile. Not since the sport lost the great Roy Powell at the age of 33 has there been such an outpouring of grief over the death of a current player. Watene played for the Cook Islands in the last World Cup in 2000 and his death has cast a shadow over the tournament, which starts in Australia next Saturday. In the year that Wakefield said farewell to the legendary David Topliss and Don Fox, the Belle Vue club was again plunged into mourning. Watene's body will be flown home to New Zealand for the funeral.
Wakefield coach John Kear said today: "We are all absolutely shocked and deeply saddened by Adam's death. Adam was a leader on and off the pitch for us and we have lost not only a fantastic player but a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Adam was very much a family man, and we are immensely sad that his wife Moana has lost a devoted husband and his children their doting father. As a club we plan to honour Adam's memory as we come to terms with his loss."
Wakefield have worked with Watene's family to set up the Adam Watene Fund. This is the official fund for Adam, with the aim to help Moana and children Arana, 10, and Ena, 4, as they come to terms with their loss and re-build their lives.
If you would like to make a donation to the fund, you can do so using the following details for a bank transaction:
Yorkshire Bank
Account Number: 27197146
Sort Code: 05 09 62
Or by making a cheque payable to the Adam Watene Fund, c/o 16 Pinders Grove, Wakefield, WF1 4AH. If anyone would like to do their own fund-raising activities for Adam, it would be appreciated if all donations go direct to the fund.
* You can leave your messages of condolence or any memories of Adam by commenting on this blog post.
I had the honour of meeting adam and getting to know him a little bit whilst playing with frank, he was a great guy and would never give up on anyone or anything and also give everything in what ever he did you will be sadly missed not only within rugby but also by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting you my deepest condolences to adams family
rest in peace
Posted by: antony | 16 Oct 2008 14:30:42
condolences to all family and friends of adam what a great proffesional and a sad loss to the world of rugby league.
posted by
chris vessey, york, united kingdom
Posted by: Chris Irvine | 15 Oct 2008 09:10:11
Adam, you were an amazing man! I've known you since you were 16 and I have been so proud of the way you loved Moana and your kids above everything else. You have left your mark in the short time you were here, as a great father, a talented player and a true friend! You are missed dearly.xx
posted by
Vicki Cutter, Brisbane, Australia
A great guy, a great player, you will be sadly missed.
RIP Adam.
posted by
Paul, Castleford, UK
You will be missed so much
rest in peace
your a amazing man and rugby player
r.i.p
xxxxxxxxxxx
posted by
Hope Oldroyd, wakefield, England
Posted by: Chris Irvine | 15 Oct 2008 09:08:41
Moe mai ra e te tuangane. Moe mai i to moengaroa. Moe i te awhi o oku tupuna.
Sleep, brother. Sleep in that eternal slumber. Rest in the loving embrace of your ancestors.
To Moana, Arana, Ena and the Watene whanau: Kia kaha, kia manawanui. Be strong, show great heart.
ADAM WATENE.
Gone too soon. Never forgotten. Forever 31.
Posted by: Louisa | 15 Oct 2008 04:49:03
Sad news. Adam (who played under the surname Cook in Australia) will also be warmly remembered on the Gold Coast in Queensland where he played 129 games for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup, including a successful Grand Final in 2004.
Posted by: CumberlandsAshes | 15 Oct 2008 01:27:04
Adam Watene epitomised the true meaning of professionalism. He dedicated his life to the sport he loved, and was passionate in everything he did. He was a great role model not only for the rugby league world, but for the community he served.
Condolences to his family and friends, who are suffering at this time. Rest in peace.
Posted by: Fully | 15 Oct 2008 00:18:46
I am sure that I speak for all RL fans whatever team you support any loss to our great game is tragic especially at this young age, sincere condolences to Adam's family and the Trinity players and staff.
Posted by: mike hunt | 14 Oct 2008 18:53:23
Crikey what a shock.
RIP
All my best to his family and friends.
Posted by: Martyn the Wigan Fan | 14 Oct 2008 16:33:05
Dreadful news; I'm sure all our thoughts and best wishes are with his family.
Posted by: Daniel | 14 Oct 2008 14:00:22
condolences to all family and friends of adam what a great professional and a sad loss to the world of rugby league.
posted by
chris vessey, york, united kingdom
That's dreadful news. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
posted by
Steffy, London,
Adam will be missed. What a player.
x
posted by
claire, wakefield, england
I'm shocked and saddened by the news. my thoughts r with his family at this sad time. adam you will be sadl missed in the world of rugby league, especially at Wakefield. fantastic player n a really nice guy.
posted by
Laura Smith, Wakefield, West Yorkshre
A MASSIVE THANKS TO YOU, BIG FELLA.
You were a gentleman and always had time to talk to your fans.
You are going to be hard to replace now that you are gone.
God is building himself a great team up there in heaven, did he really need three Trinity players inside a year?
Bash a few up there mate.
posted by
Stephen Thickett, Wakefield, England
Deepest condolences to Adams' family . Everyone in rugby
( both codes ) and sport in general will be sparing a thought at this difficult time .
With the amount of money sloshing around in sport , shouldn't all contracted sportsmen have a ct scan and angiogram before the start of every season
posted by
Nick Dixon, Sutton Coldfield, England
Posted by: Chris Irvine | 14 Oct 2008 11:24:11
Rest In Peace Adam,
You Will Be Missed,
What an inspirational guy
xx
Posted by
Amelia, Hanging Heaton, England
Posted by: Chris Irvine | 14 Oct 2008 11:22:05
The Times sends its deepest condolences to the family of Adam Watene. Adam was a fine rugby league player, a devoted family man and a credit to his sport, which he served with distinction in this country at first Castleford, then Bradford and Wakefield. He will be greatly missed by all.
Posted by: Chris Irvine | 14 Oct 2008 11:08:44