Get To Know The Man Behind The Legend, held at the Nerang RSL and Memorial Club in support of the Men of League Foundation, will return next month to see the local community gather with mateship and compassion over a BBQ, bevvies and all things footy!
The Men of League Foundation provides support to those involved in the mighty game of Rugby League at any level. Whether players, coaches and referee officials or administrators, club volunteers and beyond, the foundation provides assistance to those who have fallen on challenging times and require support from their own.
Nerang RSL and Memorial Club has been involved with the foundation for over six years and RSL Board Member – and footy fanatic, coach of league referees and the night’s official emcee – Lloyd Evans, says Nerang RSL is pleased to continue supporting the initiative.
“Within Rugby League or any part of the community, there is always going to be someone who is facing a hard time and requires help whether financial, emotional, medical or another type of assistance,” said Lloyd.
“Nerang RSL is honoured to be able to do its part in supporting fantastic initiatives like Men of League so that the foundation can continue to help change lives.
“To date Nerang RSL has donated around $30,000 through its Punters’ Club, footy tipping, the NRL Calcutta, raffles and donations raised at our annual Men of League nights.
“It’s always humbling to see the local community gather with a sense of mateship and teamwork, two pillars the game has been built on, and I have no doubt they will again for what will be Nerang RSL’s seventh season supporting the foundation.”
The night has previously attracted footy stars including Tommy Raudonikis OAM, Ben Hannant and Chris Lawler and this year will see ex Kangaroos and Manly Sea Eagles player and past coach of South Sydney Rabbitohs, Steve Martin, take to the microphone.
Aptly named ‘Get To Know The Man Behind The Legend,’ Lloyd says the event allows the community to do just that, with plenty of snags and bevvies to go around.
“The purpose of Nerang RSL’s Get To Know The Man Behind The Legend is to raise a dollar for Men of League in a way that the community can enjoy themselves,” said Lloyd.
“People generally have an idea of what players have done throughout their career and what they’ve achieved, but often times we don’t know how they got there, about their families or events that made them who they are today.
“It’s an opportunity to get to know the player beyond the footy field and in the past our speakers have really opened up and we’ve been able to learn so much about them. It’s great to see the players often stick around to chat to the community and mingle with the members over a BBQ put on by the RSL.
“I encourage the community to come along to the next event and everyone is welcome whether Nerang RSL members, footy fanatics, families or kids! It’s a great night and what makes it even better is that it’s all in support of a fantastic cause.”
For further information on the Men of League Foundation, visit www.menofleague.com
Nerang RSL’s official Pig Out Pie Eating Contest made its debut over the Australia Day weekend and local pie fanatic, Chad ‘Froman’ Jones, put on a champion show to secure the top spot in the contest, now set to be held annually at the club.
The competition saw five entrants battle it out to see who could consume six pies or be the first to finish all six of their pies – in just six minutes.
With a crowd of onlookers and supporters, pies were demolished by the minute and it was Chad, 26, who managed to scoff all six pies in an astounding two minutes and 13 seconds – with room for dessert afterward.
Chad, who has competed in a number of eating competitions across the country, says he couldn’t look past the opportunity to get involved in Nerang RSL’s Pig Out Pie Eating Contest.
“My friends tagged me in a post for the Pig Out Pie Eating Contest on Facebook so I messaged Ben at the RSL to confirm there was a place in the contest and what the rules were and it went from there,” he said.
“I went into the contest feeling quite confident and had done a couple of practice runs in the lead-up, which involved timing myself and trialing different techniques so that I could stick to the fastest tactic for the contest.
“I was focussed on eating the pies as fast as I could and although they were quite hot, I didn’t let it phase me and kept on powering through. Capacity wise it was easy and I ended up having dessert afterward,” he laughed.
Chad has made history as Nerang RSL’s first Pig Out Pie Eating Contest winner and for his champion efforts on the day, the RSL’s pie of the day for the next year has been named ‘Froman Special Pie Of The Day.’
“It is pretty awesome to have a pie named after me. I’ve won a few eating competitions before, but I’ve never had food named after me,” said Chad.
“Nerang RSL’s Pig Out Pie Eating Contest is my favourite eating contest I’ve done so far because the crowd was like no other. Everyone was cheering us on and it was a really great atmosphere to be part of.
“I’m stoked to be the first official Pig Out Pie Eating Contest winner and I’ll absolutely be back next year!”