The sporting community are being encouraged to support a Sportsman Dinner in Glen Innes next month for former Cronulla winger player and Glen Innes local Nathan Stapleton who was left a quadriplegic after suffering a spinal cord injury while playing rugby union in 2022.

Mr Stapleton now runs an organisation called Stand Strong Foundation that helps men promote mental awareness, strength and resilience in the toughest times that someone will inevitably face.

The Sportsman Dinner on November 30 at Glen Innes Service Club will be hosted by former league heavyweight Gary Belcher and have lined up speakers Steve Blocker Roach and Paul Sironen.

As an added incentive, former world WBC champion Jeff Fenech has donated and signed a WBC belt that will go up for auction on the night.