SPORTING clubs, teams, players and schools have benefited from the fundraising efforts of former Redlands Rugby League players and coaches.
The Redlands Rugby League Old Boys committee was formed three years ago by a core of rugby league enthusiasts, including the former players and coaches, who identified the valuable financial and physical support they could provide sporting teams in the area.
President John Karabatsos said the local rugby league was heavily supported by the committee but their contributions had been felt much wider.
"The committee all have sports playing, coaching and administration backgrounds so we understand how hard it is for players and coaches to concentrate on what they need to as well as put energy into fundraising," Karabatsos said.
"The role the Old Boys plays is to pick up some of that financial burden to assists those wanting to pursue their sporting endeavours.
"We are proud that to date we have been able to contribute to teams and individuals playing hockey, netball and women's AFL as well as league."
The Old Boys recently bought injury management and rehabilitation equipment for the Alexandra Hills State High School Rugby League club.
Co-ordinator Darren Johnston said the Redlands Rugby League Old Boys' purchase was a real boost for the players and coaching team.
"Treating injuries and managing rehabilitation is a high priority for our program as it allows players to recover better and minimise the chance of the injury reoccurring," Johnston said.
Karabatsos said more people have come to know about the Old Boys.
"The more that people understand what the Redlands Rugby League Old Boys do, the more fundraising support we receive and the more requests for assistance we can accommodate," he said.
"As word gets around that we have supported a rep netball team by paying for their accommodation or we have purchased playing balls for some of the smaller rugby league clubs like Stradbroke Island Sharks, the more sponsors we attract and the more people are inclined to support our fundraising which in turn means we can assist even more sports people in the Redlands.
"We also contribute to other very worthy organisations including the Leukaemia Foundation's Shave for a Cure initiative and Beyond Blue."
Read more local sport here.