It’s good to talk - Joe Westerman and Wakefield Trinity helping to combat loneliness

FORMER England loose forward Joe Westerman says Wakefield Trinity’s players are looking forward to “making someone’s day” as part of a bid to combat loneliness throughout a third lockdown in 12 months.
Happy to help: Wakefield Trinity forward Joe Westerman. Picture by Isabel Pearce/SWpix.comHappy to help: Wakefield Trinity forward Joe Westerman. Picture by Isabel Pearce/SWpix.com
Happy to help: Wakefield Trinity forward Joe Westerman. Picture by Isabel Pearce/SWpix.com

Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation has teamed up with the Super League outfit to host Zoom chats with some of the club’s older and more vulnerable members.

The ‘Reach’ programme has already been going for several months, with members being contacted by the Foundation’s staff by phone.

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However, now it is offering 10 people per week the opportunity to ask their favourite first-team player from the West Yorkshire club any questions they like during a Zoom video call.

York City Knights became the first club to offer such a service last week and many others are now following suit as rugby league looks to play its part in helping people through the ongoing Covid pandemic.

With Super League not due to kick off until March 11 and fans unable to watch their sides in action at grounds since last March, Westerman, 31, admitted: “It is a brilliant idea especially in these hard times.

“It will be nice to get involved. If anyone asks for me!

“For some fans, this will hopefully make someone’s day speaking to their favourite player.

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“It’s a tough time at the moment especially when it’s so freezing cold, the virus is around, we’ve got this lockdown and we know that the elderly are the most vulnerable.

“Many aren’t able to get out and it will be nice to help cheer them up.

“As a squad, we’re back training to get ready for the new season and hopefully we can get some fans back in then as well.”

Meanwhile, Castleford Tigers centre Brad Graham, 19, and forward Brad Martin, 19, have signed one-year extensions at Wheldon Road.

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They both made their Super League debuts in 2020 and are now looking to add to their experience in the year ahead.

Former England Youth hooker Cain Robb, 18, will also join up with Daryl Powell’s first-team squad after agreeing a two-year deal with Castleford.

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