Men of League organisation lend helping hand to those who need it

TO use a trendy marketing term, Men of League might just be the most respected “brand’’ in the game, writes BERNIE PRAMBERG.

Queensland Men of League founders Steve Calder and Greg Veivers. Pic Tim Marsden

TO use one of those trendy marketing terms, Men of League might just be the most respected “brand’’ in the game.

The organisation, which cares for the welfare of a broad spectrum of people involved with rugby league past and present, has 26,000 members and 500 volunteer workers across the country.

This weekend is “Pull up your Socks for Men of League’’ with numerous teams, from juniors to the NRL wearing special socks to support the movement.

MOL launched in Queensland in 2004, a couple of years after former Australian lock Ron Coote and fellow ex-players Jim Hall and Max Brown kicked off the concept in Sydney.

The Caxton Hotel was the scene of a meeting organised by Steve Calder and Greg Veivers which formed a Queensland branch of the organisation.

“Wayne Bennett phoned Greg and then me and said ‘you blokes should get this thing going in Queensland’,’’ said Calder, the former Norths back-rower and 1975 Rothmans medallist.

“So we got eight or nine blokes together and decided to do something. We didn’t need any convincing. The concept sold itself.’’

Designed to support men, women and children of the rugby league community who have fallen on hard times, MOL’s charter is to provide practical assistance including funding for medical operations, rehabilitation, nursing equipment, welfare assistance, grants and scholarships.

Darryl Van de Velde, the former coach and player who succeeded Calder as chairman of the Queensland branch three years ago, stressed MOL is about “grassroots people who have built the game”.

“This is not all about elite athletes,’’ he said. “We’ve provided assistance to many people from different backgrounds in the city and bush ... canteen ladies, children, teenage players and the elderly.

Queensland Men of League founders Steve Calder and Greg Veivers. Picture: Tim Marsden

“We owe a huge debt to our volunteers. It’s pretty special.’’

As MOL grew, Calder stepped aside as Queensland chairman to take up a fulltime management role working to oversee 14 sub-committees throughout the state as well as branches in Victoria, West Australia and Northern Territory.

He is assisted by Tegan Jennings, the Queensland MOL events and operations manager who has also been involved from the fledgling years.

“Four years ago we had about half the number of branches we now have throughout Queensland. Initially it was a bit slow, but the regional areas are now really up and running,’’ Calder said.

One of the most successful branches is the Sunshine Coast, which attracts an average of 150 members to their “kick-off club” gatherings every two months. They also raise an extraordinary amount of money for disbursement to those in need from three or four major functions each year.

“They are very professional,’’ said Van de Velde. “Our governance and credibility are very important. We are very conscious of that when setting up new branches.’’

Brisbane also boasts a successful kick-off club held at the Broncos Leagues Club which attracts similar numbers.

Van de Velde, a member of MOL’s national board, said planning for the future was a priority.

“We are very conscious the majority of our members are older and we need to boost numbers with people who are still actively involved in the game or have recently finished their involvement,’’ he said. “We encourage clubs to get current players to join up so they can grow with us. The membership fee is only $20.’’

Former top players and current commentators Ben Ikin and Mark Gasnier are on the national board and ex-player and coach Stuart Raper is manager of the NSW operation. Former Maroons Origin prop Ben Ross works as a welfare and education manager and ex-players including Darren Lockyer, Shane Webcke, Peter Civoniceva and Tony Currie willingly give their time at no cost as guest speakers at MOL functions.

“They all make a big contribution and the QRL provides us with free office space at Suncorp Stadium,’’ Calder said.

He believes MOL will continue to expand in Queensland beyond the current branches in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Far North Queensland, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Mackay, Rockhampton, Roma, Sunshine Coast, Southern Division, and Townsville.

“Anyone with an interest in starting a branch in their area can call me anytime,’’ he said. “We let them know what the organisation is all about and then we go out to the region, meet with them and set up a committee.

“New South Wales had two years start on us and we’re working on matching their membership numbers. We have just over 8000 members in Queensland and want to build on that.”

Originally published as Men of League organisation lend helping hand to those who need it