Monaghan receives Ken Stephen Award

Manly’s Michael Monaghan has been honoured with the 2006 Ken Stephen Award for services to Rugby League and to the community.

NRL Chairman, Mr Barry Pierce, presented the prestigious award at this morning’s Grand Final Breakfast in front of 600 guests at the Westin Hotel.

Each year the Ken Stephen Award recognises a player who has not only inspired fans with his on field talent but who has also stood out through his work in the community.

Since 1988 the Award has honoured the likes of Wayne Pearce, Andrew Ettingshausen Mark Coyne, Peter Sterling, Hazem El Masri, The Parramatta Rugby League team, Dean Widders and Jason Stevens for their contributions to the game and the community.

Michael Monaghan was one of eight nominations presented to the NRL Board in 2006.

The nominations included: Billy Slater for his efforts in raising relief funds for his home town of Innisfail after the devastation of Cyclone Larry; Ruben Wiki for his work in providing leadership to disadvantaged communities in New Zealand; Dean Widders for his remarkable efforts as a leader in the Aboriginal Community; Andrew Ryan for his work with the Police Citizens Youth Clubs, his contribution to mentoring programmes and his efforts in engaging players to support regional Rugby League; Canberra’s Josh Miller for his work with disabled children; The Wests Tigers for their group Community Programmes including their support for the Macquarie Fields area; The North Queensland Cowboys for their Community based education programmes and the adopt a school programme.

Michael’s work with physically and mentally disabled children at the Arranounbai School in Frenchs Forest was judged to be exceptional.

One of the first things Michael did when moving to Sydney was to look to continue his passion in assisting physically and mentally challenged kids.

His association with the Arranounbai school extends to working with the children, assisting in rehabilitation and in believing in what they have to offer the community.

He and his Manly team mates have already raised $35,000 towards purchasing a bus for the school. Macquarie Bank has agreed to match them dollar for dollar meaning the Manly players need to find another $20,000 to bring the $110,000 bus to the Arranounbai School.

NRL Chairman Mr Barry Pierce praised Monaghan’s efforts:

“Rugby League players contribute enormously to the community each week.

“To stand out in such a group takes a very special kind of commitment and Michael has demonstrated that in 2006.

“On behalf of everyone in the NRL, I congratulate him for his efforts.”