Meninga fondly recalls life on Coast fields

BEFORE he conquered on the state and national stage, Mal Meninga was a rising star on a "very strong” Sunshine Coast rugby league scene.

LEGEND: Mal Meninga. Picture: Getty Images

RUGBY LEAGUE: Before he conquered on the state and national stage, Mal Meninga was a rising star on a "very strong” Sunshine Coast rugby league scene.

It's on the Coast where the current Australian Kangaroos coach forged the skills that propelled him to stunning heights in the game and is a place he holds treasured memories.

"I fondly remember moving to the Coast when I was about 11 years of age and going to Maroochy primary school and high school,” Meninga told the Daily.

"I remember going to swimming lessons with Grant Kenny and people like that at Nambour pool, so it was a really good upbringing and I really enjoyed it.”

Meninga -who takes out the top spot on the Coast's 30 greatest - played for the Maroochydore Swans and Nambour All Whites before stepping into A-grade with the Palmwoods Devils.

Even though he was in Brisbane completing his senior certificate with the Queensland Police Academy, Meninga still made the effort to travel back to the Coast to play rugby league.

His dad coached the Swans and was in charge during Meninga's stint with the Devils in the first grade side.

"That same year I got picked in the Sunshine Cost U18 side, and then made Queensland from there before I moved back down to Brisbane and played for Souths in 1979,” he said.

"It was a very strong (competition) and all regional rugby league was strong so there was a lot of players from that region I admired.

"John Reddy, Paul Thomas (Nambour) and all those sort of guys I grew up watching as a kid.”

After leaving the Coast Meninga quickly became a household name.

He had 46 appearances for Australia and 32 appearances for Queensland.

He not only captained at those levels but also for his side the Canberra Raiders.

Meninga is in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and was recently named as an Immortal.

He said he often visited the Coast to see family.