Meninga takes up Raiders role

Former Canberra star and current Queensland Origin coach Mal Meninga will return to the Raiders next season in an official capacity.

Meninga, who is the veteran of 166 appearances for the club between 1986 and 1994, has been named as club ambassador.

He will be responsible for a variety of tasks at the Raiders ranging from coaching, recruitment and admininstration.

“I’m really excited about being back and involved with the club and obviously the Canberra district. I’ve got a real passion for the area and I love it,” said Meninga.

Meninga’s appointment is one result of a High Performance Review held following a disappointing 2011 season which saw the Raiders only just avoid the NRL‘s wooden spoon.

Said Meninga: “They’ve gone through a pretty intensive review process of the whole system and out of that came a lot of recommendations which have been implemented which is fantastic. I can only see an upward movement in the way the club operates. There’s a renewed confidence and everyone’s taken on the recommendations in a really positive way. I sat in the board meeting yesterday with all the directors and everyone was positive about the upcoming year.”

He added: “All the things that the club has implemented have got it going in the right direction. Now it’s action time.”

“Bringing all the positive things that we’ve been doing off the field and at training and implementing that on the field because at the end of the day that’s how people judge you; by your performances on the footy field.”

“I hope to see a sold out Canberra Stadium for round one against the Melbourne Storm.”