This follows a meeting held in Taree to form a local committee.

Harry Wells of Port Macquarie, who was named in one of the top 100 Australian players earlier this year, will be the patron. Dennis Tutty, who played one test for Australia and had a lengthy career with Balmain and Penrith and now lives at Forster-Tuncurry, is a committee member as is former top referee Mick Stone, who also now lives at Forster.

Brian Atherton of Taree was elected president. He said the inaugural meeting attracted nearly 30 people.

“It was a great response,’’ he said.

Men of League operations manager Nick Walker addressed the meeting before the elections were decided.

Mr Atherton is president, Gary Bridge of Taree vice president with Chris Turner of Forster the treasurer while Barrie Smith of Cundletown is the secretary.

The committee is Dennis Tutty, Mick Stone, John Sullivan, Brenden Summerfield, Ken Bourke, Harry Rider, Kevin Hardy, Bob Anderson, Arthur Shultz, Craig Martin, Marshall Loadsman, Kevin Rayment, Des Raward, Barry Ruddell and John Hannigan. A secretary will be appointed soon.

The foundation assists anyone who has had any capacity in rugby league and who has fallen on hard times.

Mr Atherton said a number of local cases were cited.

He said there are already plans to conduct an annual charity golf day while it looks certain there will be another Men of League dinner in this area next year. This year’s function held at Wingham was rated a huge success.

The local committee will meet at Taree Leaguies on Wednesday September 3.

Mr Atherton can be contacted on 0427 523 818 for further details.