About the ANU Meningans

The Meningans, named after Mal Meninga, were founded in 1993 by Geoff Caldwell, a passionate Raiders supporter at the ANU.

The Meningans bring together people who support the Canberra Raiders to socialise and to assist Raiders players who might wish to undertake academic or tertiary studies at a university or other tertiary institution in Canberra so that they will have a better chance at a career, or will have established one, when they have finished football.

Geoff is remembered through the Geoff Caldwell Vocational Education Encouragement Award which is presented each year to a young Raider to encourage him with his studies and plans for a future after football.

The Meningans welcome all fans and supporters of the Raiders. The Meningans support the Raiders belief that players will perform better on and off the field if they have an integrated approach to life.

Funds for our annual Award are raised at lunches during the football season. We ask people to put a donation in the “boot” which is passed around at the lunch. The Raiders provide a guest speaker, either one (or more) of the players, or a Raiders official. The speakers give a short address and are happy to answers any questions from the floor.

Scholarships

For several years now the NRL, clubs and the Rugby League Players Association have been increasing the focus on developing players for life away from the football field.

The Raiders have established strong links with the AIS and with CIT to assist young players to develop skills they will need when their football careers come to an end.

The Meningans have been working with the Raiders for a number of years to encouraging young players undertaking tertiary studies by providing an annual Award to a player who has shown commitment and determination in their field of study.

The Meningans raise money during the year and present our Geoff Caldwell Vocational Education Award to a young Raider who has successfully combined his studies with his football career. This award is presented at the Raiders Annual Awards night.

Award winners have included Andy McFadden (1996), Anthony Brann (1999), Alan Tongue (2000), David Faiumu (2001), Rod Jensen (2002), Ryan Carmichael (2003), William Zillman (2004), Ryan Barton (2005), Glen Buttriss (2006), Mark Herbert (2007), Brendon Wheatley (2008), Mark Nicholls (2009) and Mark Appleton (2010).

About Mal Meninga

Mal Meninga started playing Rugby League because his father, Norm Meninga, played throughout his early years. His mother was an avid supporter of the game and also of her husband. Mal Meninga grew up inheriting his parent's love of the game and became a bellboy and a mascot for his father's team. It became a way of life, as most weekends and a couple of days during the week were devoted to either training, playing or watching rugby league.

As a junior, Mal played for the Monto Primary School from the age of 7 years. Monto is a town in central Queensland. He always placed for the school's, junior or weight division teams during his young days. Mal represented the district teams and eventually played for the Queensland under 18s in 1978. After he left School Mal went to Brisbane and played for the South Magpies Club and in his first year of first grade rugby league was selected to play for the Queensland State side at the senior level. He played for South's from 1979 until 1985 when he transferred to the Canberra Raiders' Club and played there until his retirement from the game in 1994.

RUGBY LEAGUE ACHIEVEMENTS

Most Tests for Australia (45)

Most points for Australia - 272 in tests and 551 in all matches

Most Kangaroo tours of Great Britain and France - four in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.

Most Kangaroo tours as Captain - 2 in 1990 and 1994

Most goals for Australia in tests - 96

Most Ashes tests - 17

Most points in Ashes tests - 108

Twenty-three tests as Captain - equal 2nd

2nd most State of Origin appearances 32

Most representative matches for Queensland - 42

Most points for Queensland State of Origin - 161

Eleven grand final appearances in 16 years of first class matches - 5 for Canberra and 6 for Brisbane Souths

Three grand final wins for Canberra - all as Captain

Two grand final wins with Brisbane Souths

Most tries for Canberra in a match - 5

465 first -class matches amassing 2671 points

BBC Sports Personality of the Year - 1990

Addidas Golden Boot - 1990 Best Player in the World

Rugby League Writers Player of the Year - 1991

Captain of the year -1991

Head Coach - Canberra Raiders RLFC (1987 - 2001)

Board member - Canberra Raiders Rugby League Club (2002 - present)

Chairman - Souths Logan Magpies RLFC - Queensland

COMMUNITY AND CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Honoured Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for contribution to sport - 1994

Inducted into the Australian Sport Hall of Fame - 1994

Australian Achiever of the Year - 1995

Inducted into the Queensland and ACT Sport Hall of Fame - 2000

Centenary Medal - Contribution to Sport

Ambassador:

Australia

Yellow Ribbon Program (Prevention Youth Suicide)

Australia and New Zealand

Australian Masters Games - 2003

Osteoporosis Australia

Honorary Ambassador ACT Tourism and Events

Sports Tourism Ambassador for the Year of Sport

Patron:

Second Chance Foundation

Australian National University Meningans

Australian South Sea Islanders Community Foundation

ACT Ministerial Yo8th Advisory Council

Torch Bearer - Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Board Member - Sport and Recreation ACT Advisory Council

President - Primary After School Sports Inc.

Postgraduate Certificate in Business Management