Adam Woolnough

Updated on Feb 02, 2024

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Name Adam Woolnough Children Cash Woolnough Weight 106 kg		Height 1.88 m Role Rugby Player

Jared waerea hargreaves on adam woolnough

Adam Woolnough (born 24 May 1982, in Taree, New South Wales) is an Australian retired professional rugby league player. He played for nine seasons at the Melbourne Storm in the NRL, Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights. His position was prop. He made his debut in 2002 for his junior club, the Newcastle Knights. This game was against the New Zealand Warriors on 17 May, a significant day as it is also his mother's birth date. After 6 seasons and 117 games, and 1 as captain, Adam made the decision to leave and head to the Penrith Panthers on a 3-year deal. After 2 injury and form ravaged seasons, the 2009 NRL season was supposed to be his last. He announced his retirement on 19 August 2009, effective of his final 2009 NRL game against his old club, the Newcastle Knights on Round 26, 2009. Adam's had a few reason's for retirement, including that he was not getting enough first grade game time, and was playing the majority of his games for the Penrith Panthers feeder side, the Windsor Wolves. However, he later revealed that a desire to travel before kids was the main contributing reason, so in 2010, he and his wife, Bec, backpacked for 9 months around the world. However, after a year out, Woolnough returned to the NRL in 2011. This was made possible by a chance meeting with former team-mate, Clint Newton in the UK. Clint was playing for Hull KR, when the conversation turned to the Melbourne Storm. From this conversation, Adam spoke with Head Coach Craig Bellemy about the possibility of joining the Storm for the 2011 season. Adam later signed in July in a Paris Hotel, but was encouraged to complete his trip before reporting to training in October 2011.

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Playing career

While attending Taree High School, Woolnough was selected to represent the Australian Schoolboys team in 1999. The schoolboys toured the UK and France, winning the Test Series 2-0. The team included NRL players, Mark Gasnier, Braith Anasta, Justin Hodges, Corey Parker, Brent Tate, Anthony Quinn, Jamie Lyon and Michael Luck. Adam's junior clubs included Singleton Greyhounds, Taree/Old Bar Pirates and Taree Panthers. A highlight of his career occurred in 2006, being selected in the Australian Prime Minister's XIII team to tour PNG. Another highlight come in 2007, when he captained his home team, The Knights, for 1 game against South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Newcastle Rugby League

In 2012 he played for Lakes United Newcastle Rugby League Team.

Post Rugby League Career

Upon retirement he worked in the underground coal mines near Newcastle, N.S.W. He was employed for 3 1/2 yrs until a desire to return to the sporting industry come about. Since 2015 he has been employed at The Queensland Academy of Sport, working with their World and Olympic athlete in Personal Development (Career and Education, Welfare, Transitions, Community Engagements)