Ron Lane

If you want to make a big success of a local charity function, a big step forward is always to have good well known guest speakers, and it’s even better if one or two happen to be local boys, those who have made an impression in the outside world.

It just so happens that local lad, Moses Mbye, current NRL and former Pirates rugby league player, is back home and joining forces with his local club and the sporting community.

The reason for this is to help raise funds for disadvantaged children and youth, funds that will enable them to play their chosen sport, a sport in which they can stay. And working with him will be another former Pirate success story, Jake Friend.

The local Pirates boys may have hung up their football boots for the season, but the administration team has not.

In keeping with their club policy of working for the community, the Pirates will, on Sunday 2 October, host a Sportsman’s Golf Day and Luncheon.

This event, which will be headed up by Moses, at the Noosa Golf Club, will kick off early with an Ambrose golf event, followed by a Sportsman Luncheon.

However, if golf is not your thing, you can come along and enjoy a great meal, a few drinks, plenty of stories and laughter, before the league grand final comes up on the big screen.

And the guest speakers will be, of course, our local boys who hit the big time in the world of rugby league, Moses Mbye and Jake Friend.

Mbye , who has been an NRL regular for many years with the Bulldogs, Tigers and now the Dragons, has also represented Queensland at State of Origin level, couldn’t think of a better was to spend his off- season than with his family and friends in his hometown of Noosa.

“What will make it even bigger and better, I am getting my old Noosa Pirates mate and Roosters NRL legend Jake Friend to come along and join me at the luncheon, as well as another good friend ex-NRL star Reni Matua,” Mbye

During his career he has been something of a utility player having played half-back, fullback, five-eight, centre and hooker. During this time, he has played with Bulldogs five seasons, West Tigers four and St George one. Perhaps the highlight would have been 2019 when he was chosen for Queensland State of Origin three games.

Such was his demeanour while in the Origin Camp that he was identified as a future leader with great spirit, great attitude and well spoken. Another highlight was being picked for the Prime Minister’s 13 to play Papua New Guinea in 2016.

As a current and experienced NRL player who now holds a position on the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) Player Advisory Group, Mbye has turned his sights on ways that the game can be improved with a range of better outcome for all the stakeholders of the game.

Mbye’s friend and former Pirate player Jake Friend had an outstanding career cut short, when acting on doctor’s advice, he announced his retirement.

This was a result of some 20 concussions received during his entire career, a career that started way back in his teenage years. Sad but sensible decision.

During a 264-game career he had many highlights. Three times premiership winner, 2013, 18, ’19, played a test for Australia 2016, and three State of Origins in 2020.

In the words of former coach Trent Robinson, “He was an incredible player and leader.”

Two athletes with outstanding careers plus administrators who, during the off season, still work for the community.