League legends to headline Tweed Seagulls lunch

FORMER Australian Kangaroos coach Chris Anderson and Clive Churchill medallist Brent Kite will headline a Tweed Seagulls sportsmen’s lunch later this month.

The event will be held at Seagulls Club on Friday, 22 May, and is expected to draw strong community interest.

Organised by former NRL player and Tweed Seagulls first-grade coach Craig Field, the lunch will feature a lineup of well-known rugby league figures sharing insights from their careers in an informal setting.

Kite, who won a premiership with Manly in 2008, later transitioned into coaching success at local level, including guiding the Tweed Coast Raiders to a grand final victory in 2018.

Anderson’s career spans both playing and coaching at the highest level, including leading the Australian Kangaroos and steering the Canterbury Bulldogs to a premiership in 1995.

Field said the appeal of the event lies in the personalities involved and the stories they bring from decades in the game.

“We’ve got some old legends of the game and some great storytellers,” Field said.

“Chris Anderson, Mark Bugden, Nathan Long, Craig Salvatori, Brent Kite — there’s plenty of stories there.

“We think it’s going to be great. There’s plenty more room for people to come along, and we’re hoping the community gets behind it.”

The lunch will be hosted by NRL player agent Steve Gillis, who recently interviewed Field about his 183-game career with Manly, South Sydney and the Wests Tigers.

Field said rugby league’s culture ensures even its toughest competitors often have compelling stories away from the field.

“Rugby league, we’re very blessed to be involved in it,” he said.

“You always find the good ones, even the tough ones on the field, they’re often quite placid off the field and just lovely human beings.”

The event was originally scheduled earlier this year but was postponed following a widespread power outage across the Tweed region.

Field said organisers are now aiming to match the strong interest previously shown, with around 170 guests expected to attend.

Table bookings can be made through the Seagulls NRRRL Facebook page.