ALTONA Roosters have received much-needed donations to aid the rebuilding of the club after fire burnt down the clubrooms at Loft Reserve during summer.
The Men of League [MOL] foundation and the rugby league club’s major sponsor, Millers, Inn have kicked in $10,000 each.
“It helps us out a lot to try and get us equipment for the kids and help the club rebuild,” Roosters president Brandon Taonoa said.
“The foundation normally does not do stuff like that, but because of the situation we were in, they wanted to help out.”
The Men of League is run by former NRL players and usually donates to individuals going through hardship.
Injured Roosters player Mano Thompson was one of the recipients of a donation from the foundation after he sustained a broken neck in a training accident.
“They help out players who get injured through rugby league,” Taonoa said. “It has helped his family out to cover with medical expenses and help his recovery.”
The Roosters’ 19 teams, ranging from under-6 to seniors, have been using portable facilities provided by the Hobsons Bay council.
This has ensured the club did not have to turn away up to 120 new members who have signed on since last season.
“We’ve gone from 300 players last year up to 420 this year,” Taonoa said. “I’m not sure if it’s because of what happened with the fire or if it’s our good reputation.
“The Hobsons Bay council has been good to us, getting portable buildings … it’s sort of like it’s been business as normal – the clubrooms in the background, the portables are there and training still goes ahead.”
Asked if in times of adversity a club becomes more united, Taonoa said: “It’s definitely brought us closer together.”
Turbulent times off the field have not seen the Roosters suffer on it.
They are on track to reach the Victorian Rugby League first grade finals and defend last year’s premiership.
The Roosters pummelled the Craigieburn Phoenix 56-10 at Hothlyn Reserve on Saturday to move into double chance contention.
“It was an important win because there’s only two points between the top five teams,” Taonoa said. “That gives us good percentage and we’ve gone from fourth to third now.”
