Wakefield Trinity and the Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation were honoured to welcome the Princess of Wales, Rugby League’s Royal Patron, to the DIY Kitchens Stadium today for a celebration of our valuable community projects that support thousands of people within the Wakefield District.
Her Royal Highness took part in the Foundation’s In Touch session with a dozen regular participants from the programme, which aims to tackle social isolation for the elderly in our local community.
She then met students from The King’s School in Pontefract who were supported through the Foundation’s delivery of Inspiring Futures, a programme funded by RFL partners The Youth Endowment Fund that seeks to reduce behavioural difficulties in young people through the power of rugby league.
Rounding off the afternoon, Her Royal Highness met girls players from Outwood Grange Academy and Crofton Academy, both partner schools of the Foundation, alongside Men’s First-Team Captain Mike McMeeken and Women’s First-Team Captain Kaitlin Varley, before being presented with a signed 2026 Wakefield Trinity home shirt.
Wakefield Trinity CEO, Craig Barrass, said: “The visit of Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales, to recognise some of the work we do across our communities, and in our newly renovated stadium surroundings is an immensely proud day for everyone connected to Wakefield Trinity, and one that we, and the beneficiaries of our community programmes, will long remember.
“Using our club and our sport to deliver positive change to people’s lives is something very important to all involved and being able to show our Patron, HRH Princess of Wales, a bit of what we do and the impact it has, has been a fantastic and rewarding opportunity.”
Denise Teal JP, Trustee Lead at Wakefield Community Foundation, said: “It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to Wakefield Trinity today as we showcased just a small sample of the Foundation’s work within our local community.
“It was amazing to see Her Royal Highness take such an active part and being so engaging in all the activities across the afternoon and we hope that her support can inspire others to participate in the Foundation’s wide range of community programmes.”
Wakefield Captain, Mike McMeeken said: “It was great to meet her Royal Highness and to chat about Wakefield Trinity and all the great things the club and the Foundation do.
“She was really keen to hear about the club both on and off the field and now she has a Wakefield Trinity shirt she is an honorary member of the club!”