The siren sounded in the 1971 grand final and Graeme Langlands sank to his knees, defeated but not beaten.
Spotting him on the ground Ron Coote, now the Men of League Foundation Honorary President, walked toward him, offered his hand and pulled him up.
In essence, it says everything the Foundation is now about.
We help each other up.
When Paula Gowland, a long-time volunteer for the Kawana Dolphins, fell while hanging curtains she broke her leg in four places. Paula eventually required an amputation after complications.
Unable to cover the hefty hospital bills, the Men of League Foundation stepped in.
“The Men of League Foundation has enabled me to focus on my rehab and not worry about the enormous medical fees,” Paula said.
When Harry Bowes, a 16-year-old junior footballer suffering leukaemia and a spinal tumour, needed a lift in spirits the Men of League Foundation organised for Harry to have the ultimate rugby league experience.
Last year Harry went into camp with the Queensland Maroons before Origin II.
The Men of League Foundation is committed to helping men, women and children in necessitous circumstances who are part of our family.
If you have coached or played rugby league, refereed, administered or volunteered for rugby league clubs across the country, we are there for you.
To raise funds for people like Paula and Harry, whose needs are often very different, the Men of League Foundation relies on the support of the entire community.
Donations can be made in a variety of ways such as:
- a one-off gift
- community fundraising in which the Foundation is the beneficiary of an event organised by others
- organising individual cause events under the guidance and administration of the Foundation which raise funds for an individual beneficiary for their sole use
- becoming a corporate sponsor
- a bequest.
