Jon Wilkin

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Jon Wilkin
fullname = Jon Wilkin
nickname = Wilko, Willow, Jon Boy, Wonderboy


image_size= 200px
caption =
country =
position = Second row
currentclub = leagueicon|St Helens|size=16 St Helens
clubnumber = 12
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1983|11|1
placeofbirth =
countryofbirth =
height = height|ft=6|in=1
weight = 15 st 4 lbs (97 kg)
club1 = leagueicon|Hull KR|size=16 Hull Kingston Rovers
year1start = 2002
year1end =
appearances1 = 25
tries1 =
goals1 =
fieldgoals1 =
points1 = 29
club2 = leagueicon|St Helens|size=16 St Helens
year2start = 2002
year2end = present
appearances2 = 124
tries2 =
goals2 =
fieldgoals2 =
points2 = 161
teamA = Flagicon|England England
yearAstart = 2004
yearAend =
appearancesA = 4
triesA =
goalsA =
fieldgoalsA =
pointsA = 4
teamB = Flagicon|Great Britain Great Britain
yearBstart = 2006
yearBend =
appearancesB = 6
triesB =
goalsB =
fieldgoalsB =
pointsB = 0
updated =
source =
new = yes

Jon Wilkin (born November 1, 1983 in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire) is a rugby league player who plays for St Helens.
Saints' second rower Wilkin has won The Observer's first Community Champion Award. [cite web|url=http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/336|title=Wilks wins Observer Community Award|publisher=Saints|date=2007-06-12|accessdate=2007-06-13]

Career

Wilkin started his career at Hull KR before being signed by St. Helens. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/2264392.stm|title=Saints swoop for Wilkin
publisher=BBC|date=2002-12-17|accessdate=2007-06-13]

Wilkin soon broke into the first team and has been dubbed by some as one of the most promising running backs in the game. At 24 years of age Wilkin has impressed many and has played in some high octane matches.

The 2006 season was a new high point in Jon’s career. He was a key member of the treble-winning team as Saints won the Challenge Cup where he played with a broken nose, won the Super League Leaders’ trophy, and triumphed in the Super League Grand Final by beating Hull FC 26-4.

The icing on the cake for Wilkin and St. Helens came when they won the BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Team of the Year award, with Daniel Anderson taking the Best Coach honour. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/6220542.stm|title=Team of the Year - St Helens rugby league side
publisher=BBC|date=2006-12-10|accessdate=2007-06-13]

Wilkin was recognised for his good season by being named in the 2006 Super League Dream Team. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/5357734.stm|title=Saints top Dream Team nominations| publisher=BBC|date=2006-09-18|accessdate=2007-06-13]

He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat to the Leeds Rhinos.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-04|accessdate=2008-10-05]

International Honours

Wilkin was called in to the Tri Nations squad in 2005 but did not feature in the competition. However, he was included in the 25-man squad for the 2006 Tri-Nations Tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Wilkin made his international debut from the bench at the Aussie Stadium, Sydney on 4 November 2006 against Australia. He came off the bench in two further games in that series, the first against New Zealand in Wellington and the second against Australia in Brisbane.

He has been named in the England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm|title=Purdham earns World Cup call-up|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-07|accessdate=2008-10-07]

Other

Jon was awarded community volunteer of 2008 at a ceremony in Manchester. Jon said of his achievement "All those hours of helping others is part of my job', he generally molds himself in a selfless manner. Jon went on to thank amongst others author Rudyard Kipling as the poem 'If' is a prominent part of his life

References

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/st_helens/6331347.stm Saints' Wilkin gets two-match ban]