Long lunch raises vital funds for rugby league community

THE Tweed Seagulls hosted their annual Lion’s Long Lunch in front of a sold‑out crowd, with former NRL stars providing entertainment and the event raising crucial funds for the club’s community programs.

Corey Norman and Nathan Peats, who played in the State of Origin during their careers, were joined by former Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels forward Keegan Hipgrave.

Hipgrave’s career was cut short due to ongoing concussions, and he has transitioned into mental health work over the last three years. He works with the Rugby League Players Association as a players transition manager and hosts a podcast to address mental health issues in sports.

Other former players Malcolm Clift, Billy Johnstone, Frank Stanton and Adrian Vowles were special guests at the event. Johnstone was the inaugural captain of the Gold Coast‑Tweed Giants in 1988 and is a highly regarded strength and conditioning coach in the NRL.

Champion runner Ellie Beer was also on the main panel, with NRL legend Preston Campbell presenting the main scholarship.

The lunch is named in memory of club legend Tom Searle, who died in 2020, and has become a vital fundraiser for an array of award and scholarship recipients.

“A big congratulations to our Tom Searle Scholarship and Andrew Stubbs Scholarship recipients Kobi Hauraki and Viliami Fifita,” a Tweed Seagulls spokesperson said.

“We can’t wait to see what you achieve on and off the field in the coming years.”

The scholarship winners are selected from the Cyril Connell Cup and Mal Meninga Cup junior representative teams. They are identified for showing ability as rugby league players as well as character and conduct away from the game.