ANNUAL REPORT 2013 WWW.MENOFLEAGUE.COM TOGETHER... We’ve celebrated the greatest moments in our game’s history. We’ve shared in triumph and defeat. The rewards of victory are great, but they are not the reason we play the game. On and off the field, we always support our mates. For more than a decade, the Men of League Foundation has supported the men, women and children who share our commitment to the spirit of the game. MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN – RON COOTE AM Now it’s your turn. Since our inception twelve years ago, the Men of State of Origin and Kangaroo greats Ben Ikin and League Foundation has grown to boast a membership Mark Gasnier. The insight and experience of these of almost 25,000, 43 passionate Committees whose men is a significant addition to the Foundation. members give of their time, resources and expertise and a growing number of welfare recipients whose Corene is ably assisted by an enthusiastic team who lives have been touched by the work we do. bring their own experience, energy and insight to our organisation. Under Corene’s leadership, they will flourish. The rugby league community is now and always has been - a family. It is this sense of family that drives But there is no use hiding your light under a bushel us to continue to boost our profile, to gain more and in 2013 we have focussed on telling our story, members, to provide more services, all with the aim with Russell Crowe voicing our television commercial of to helping more people in our family. aired nationally, a brand new website, a new look magazine under the stewardship of Neil Cadigan and We work toward a shared vision to celebrate our game’s support for our events and Committees with artwork, rich history and to provide assistance and support to media and social media the focus. players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators from all levels of the game and the broader rugby The annual Heritage Round campaign during round league community. That might mean the tuckshop lady, six and the Men of League Weekend/Pull Up Your the injured player or the kid in Moree whose family Socks round over July 6 and 7 aided us not only in cannot afford the expense of an education. raising our profile, but vital funds. The Gala dinner in Sydney and the Luncheon in Brisbane provided OUR 2013 NATIONAL BOARD It has been an amazing year for the Men of League further opportunity to celebrate Foundation. 2013 saw many changes and new additions, the height of which was the appointment We shared in many events this year across Australia Patron The Hon John Fahey AC Directors Royce Ayliffe of our new Chief Executive Officer Corene Strauss. including gala dinners, luncheons, golf days, race Chairman Ron Coote AM Martin Cook Corene brings to the Foundation a wealth of days, bowls days, tennis events and many more. Vice Chairman Jim Hall Mark Gasnier knowledge, a passion for rugby league and a keen Secretary Neil Musgrave Ben Ikin enthusiasm for community work. I am immensely proud of the growth and success Treasurer Geoff Thoroughgood Brian James of the Men of League Foundation during 2013 and Peter Simons Men of League is also proud to have two incredible I am confident that our efforts will continue into Darryl Van De Velde former NRL players join our Board in 2013 - 2014 and beyond. Annual Report January - December 2013 OUR 2013 EXECUTIVE TEAM Chief Operations Officer Office Manager Chris Bannerman Sandra Hopwood MESSAGE FROM CEO – CORENE STRAUSS It is my great pleasure to address you for the first time. There are currently 43 Men of League branch committees operating throughout Australia and through As you may be aware I have recently taken up the the support of these committees, the Foundation hosts position of Chief Executive Officer at Men of League numerous functions and events each year. and I must say that the role as been both challenging and rewarding. Committees are vital to our success and the valuable Local Committee Manager QLD QLD Events & Operations Manager face of our organisation. Steve Calder Tegan Jennings Firstly I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the Board Members during this initial In 2006, Men of League was awarded status as a phase of my appointment and secondly, highlight the deductible gift recipient and a tax concession charity. achievements, progress and changes which signal a bright future for our organisation. It is a great privilege for me to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Men of League Foundation. The Foundation assists people with a range of I am humbled by the opportunities to work with and services and offers of support, including: for our members. • medical operations • rehabilitation equipment I believe the Board as a collective have demonstrated • nursing home equipment their commitment to working together to achieve our Local Committee Manager NSW Welfare Officer • grants and scholarship assistance vision and goals and I look forward to continuing these Jim Hall Velu Nuumaalii • counselling efforts in the future. • social contact through visits, cards and telephone calls • promoting and supporting fundraising events for I’d also like to acknowledge the hard work and rugby league people in need of help. commitment from all the staff and Management of Men of League over the past year. Since its inception, Men of League has sustained consistent growth, with memberships increasing at It is a pleasure working with you and I am eager to a rate of over 50 percent each year. see what the 2014 year holds for Men of League. Operations & Membership Manager NSW Administration & Membership Officer Jason Turik Claire White Annual Report January - December 2013 WELFARE MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS It was a busy year for the Welfare teams with a myriad the Foundation’s welfare programs until a full time Men of League undertook and successfully executed Men of League embarked on a Social Media Strategy of requests for welfare assistance, visits to the ill Welfare Manager was appointed. numerous marketing and communications campaigns in 2013 in order to further develop our online audience. and conducting special cause events for those in during 2013 in a bid to increase the profile of the significant need of assistance. A majority of our welfare went towards grants for Foundation, raise awareness of Men of League and By utilising Facebook and Twitter as key financial assistance and residential and rehabilitation its activities, drive memberships and promote communication platforms, Men of League was able Sadly, our wonderful Welfare officer Velu Nuumaalii care. In addition a considerable effort went into community involvement. to increase the Foundation’s online profile and drive left us in April and his absence created some assisting beneficiaries of specific cause events. further donations/member sign ups. challenges for the organisation. Thankfully through The Men of League Foundation was given the the Grants Committee Chairman Jim Hall and Local Below is an outline of some of the actual medical opportunity to create a 30 second television commercial Over the course of 2013 the Men of League Committee welfare officers we were able to continue assistance we provided. to promote the work and activities of the Foundation Facebook page increased by over 1,330 followers and we were fortunate enough to have Russell Crowe and with a successful social media strategy currently lend his voice to the advertisement. This ad was aired in place it is projected that this figure will consistently during coverage of the NRL, on Fox Sports and on grow in the future. WELFARE TYPE various radio stations in Sydney and Brisbane. The Men of League Foundation recently implemented Cancer 12 30% Men of League commissioned the re-design of our a style/branding guide for all promotional and existing website and membership magazine in order marketing material used by individual committees. Amputees 3 8% to streamline our brand identity and enable the site Knee & Hip Replacement 8 20% and magazine were more user friendly. This has allowed for important branding features such as the Men of League logo, colour palette and Osteoarthritis 2 5% The inaugural Men of League Weekend, held over typeface to be consistent across all Men of League Neck and Back Injuries 4 10% 6-7 July, saw rugby league players, officials and collateral, which has in turn developed strong brand teams across the country buying commemorative identity for the Foundation in the public eye. Brain and Head Injuries 7 18% Men of League socks to wear during their games. Weight 2 5% We have achieved resounding success through Relatives pasing away 1 3% The initiative was a great success, raising more than the implementation of these new initiatives, an $16,000 for the Men of League Foundation and with outcome which is testament to the passion of the RHS Paralysis 1 3% the campaign locked in for the 2014 season, it is sure rugby league community and the support they 40 to be more successful next year. provide to the Foundation. Annual Report January - December 2013 COMMITTEE OVERVIEW CONT. Some outstanding achievements from committees include Sunshine Coast, who had an excellent a year with 5 Kick off Clubs, a Golf Day & two Luncheons raising $38,000. The Sydney Metropolitan COMMITTEE OVERVIEW committee conducted two events and raised over $43,000 (net) in addition to providing a very active 2013 saw the addition of 4 new committees in NSW namely: Macarthur / Southern Highlands, Tuggerah Lakes, welfare program. Upper Hunter and Western Sydney. Qld gained two new committees, Rockhampton and Roma and all achieved excellent results raising significant funds and awareness for Men of League.