Jake Webster granted testimonial by the RFL

Keighley’s former Hull KR and Castleford centre Jake Webster has been granted a 12-month testimonial by the RFL.

Webster, 38, moved to the UK in late 2007 and has been rewarded for his services to the sport.

He has made just shy of 350 career appearances, which includes eight-caps for New Zealand – despite being born in Australia.

Webster said: “I am delighted to be awarded a testimonial for the next 12 months.

“I would like to thank Keighley as a club for helping me with my application and the RFL’s executive
board for granting my testimonial.

“Personally, I have given my entire adult life to the sport of Rugby League whilst trying to give something back to the respective communities I have represented throughout my career.

“To represent the six clubs I have, and my country in New Zealand, has made me immensely pride and the support I received from the differing fanbases has meant the world to me, and I hope they will support me once more over the next year.

“The support of my family and loved ones throughout the past twenty-two years since I first signed professionally with Melbourne can also not be underestimated as they also have had to give up a lot to help me achieve my goals and ambitions.

“I have a number of exciting events planned and I’m now looking forward to my launch event and
shirt launch which will hopefully be in March.

“I’ve made no secret that the upcoming season will probably be my last as a player and I’m looking to go out on a high with both my testimonial and getting Keighley promoted to the Championship.”

Jake Webster on and off the pitch

Webster started his rugby league career with Melbourne and became the first Melbourne-born player to play for the club.

He made 49 appearances for Storm before joining Gold Coast Titans for their inaugural season in the NRL in 2007.

A firm fans favourite at both Hull KR and Castleford, he made more than 100 appearances for both clubs.

The centre was part of the Castleford squad that reached the 2014 Challenge Cup final and won the 2017 Super League leaders shield.

Dropping down to the Championship for 2019 with Bradford, Webster scored a try in the Bulls’ famous Challenge Cup victory over Leeds.

The 2022 season will be his third with Keighley.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and injury restricting his game time on the field, the value of him off the pitch has proved crucial. He has led a number of projects for the club in his guise as ‘Captain Cougar’ in the local community.

Work included involve schools projects with the Cougarmania Foundation, assisting with holiday camps at Cougar Park, and a project with children in care that is run in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police.

He regularly fundraised for a local hospice while at Castleford, as well as undertaking a number of projects at Hull KR.