The Newcastle and Hunter branch of the Men of League held its first meeting yesterday at the Maitland City Leagues Club.

The primary function of the Men of League is to provide financial or other support to junior, senior, past and present rugby league players.

Among the nine committee men already expected to run the Newcastle and Hunter branch, are former Newcastle Knights stalwart Tony Butterfield and former Knights coach Malcolm Reilly.

Until yesterday, John King explained, there was no local branch for players in the Newcastle and Hunter region.

“We want to make a very strong committee here in this region rather than having to have to go through Sydney every time we want to show some support,” he said.

“We can’t help everyone but naturally we will try and help as many people as possible.”

“We just want to raise enough so that when we go out to see players who have fallen on hard times we actually have something to offer.

“We’d be looking for a major sponsor. The Sydney branch has AMP as their major sponsor.

“We would be looking to get a major sponsor on board like that.”

The Maitland City Leagues Club kicked in $1500 to start growing the Men of League coffers in the Hunter.

“The president of the Leagues Club Kenny McGregor was happy to throw in the money as somewhere to start.”

King urged current members of the rugby league community to become a life-member of the Men of League for just $10, saying it could only be a matter of time before today’s players need a hand up.

“You might not need it today and you might not need it tomorrow, but five or six years down the track, when you come into tough times then you could need it. And if you join the Men of League you’re a member for life.”

King was appointed president of the Hunter’s first Men of League committee earlier this year, saying it is a welcome commitment as he approaches retirement.

“I retire here in February and I guess that’s why they thought I was a good choice, because I would have a bit more time to devote to it.”

The Men of League recently helped-out past Maitland Pumpkin Picker coach and player Neville Harman who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.