Gail’s dedication worth celebrating
RUGBY League Gold Coast will celebrate the women of their game today and few deserve more recognition than Gail Manning.
It’s been almost 40 years since Manning began helping out around the Southport Tigers once her son Brian signed up for under-7s.
She has since gone on to cover various roles at the club including team manager, treasurer, registrar and secretary – the last of which she has returned to for the 2019 season.
Along the way, she has earned status as a Southport junior life member and is also a Gold Coast District life member, having served the board for seven years as registrar.
Such is her experience at the Tigers that the club’s senior president Tim Mahoney and junior president Darren Crawford both played in teams with her son that were managed by the now 68-year-old.
Having stepped back in recent years, her return to Tigers management this year was met with warmth.
“It’s so good to be back involved,” said Manning, who originally started watching league when the likes of Wally Lewis and Ross Strudwick played for Brisbane Valleys.
Her family have become deeply involved over time, too, with Brian running the canteen and grandson Linden playing. “My daughter lives away, otherwise she would probably do a little bit down there but my grandkids love coming down,” Manning said.
“I have got a grandson who is three and I’m hoping he might one day become a Tiger.”
The Ladies in League charity fundraising lunch is at Southport Yacht Club from 11.30am today. Former Miss World Australia Courtney Thorpe – the wife of Titans prop Jarrod Wallace – will act as MC, with Titans boss Steve Mitchell and Jillaroos player Meg Ward are guest speakers.