Long time Manly Member Raymond Bryant craves for the opportunity to just be able to go to a Sea Eagles home game.
Problem is, there's 7,789 miles between his home in Whistler, Canada, and his beloved home ground of 4 Pines Park in Brookvale.
However, despite the distance and the time difference, Bryant's love for the Sea Eagles is as passionate as they come as he enters his 15th year as a proud Manly Member.
We caught up with this 'Global Eagle' to learn more about his endless support for Manly as he spreads the Sea Eagles 'gospel' in Canada.
Join here to become a proud Manly Member like Raymond.
WC: When did you become a Sea Eagles fan. What’s your earliest memories?
RB: No one in my family followed rugby league when I was growing up (there were chores to be done). I went to a rugby union school and played full-back. I blamed everyone in front of me if a try was scored. I scored one try but I was no Brett Stewart. One day, I was watching a rugby league game on TV when the commentator said: “This young kid, Geoff Toovey, he’s that good he’ll captain the side one day.” I looked at the team name and it was, of course, Manly. I thought: “What a great name for a team. How can you not like a team named ‘Manly’? I shall now forever support this team.”.
WC: Who are your favourite Sea Eagles players, past and present?
RB: This is a tough question that sets off many discussions. If you go by the one whose YouTube highlights I watch the most, then it's Steve Matai. A champion. Steve Menzies’ grand final try gets me every time. He was such an awesome player. Jamie Lyon had such a great football mind. Then there's Cliff Lyons, Geoff Toovey, the amazing Brett Stewart, Jake Trbojevic, Ben Kennedy, Jason King, Graham Eadie, Brent Kite, Matt Ballin, Mark Carroll – the list is almost endless. And of course, every current Manly Sea Eagles player.
WC: When did you move to Whistler, Canada, and what do you do there for work?
RB: About 14 or so years ago. I was lucky enough to be ‘mostly’ retired at a reasonably young age and now I find myself doing an occasional bout of editing for a selection of Canadian and American authors.
WC: How do you watch Sea Eagles matches in Canada?
RB: Canada is all about (ice) hockey, hockey and more hockey. There is no bar where I live that shows the games, So I find myself at home watching them via Fox or the NRL site. Games start anywhere from 9pm to 3am here, so I'm ignoring the internet so I can watch a replay when the sun is up. I sit by my laptop in the dead of night trying not to cheer too loud, so I don’t wake up the household.
WC: This year marks 15 years as a proud Sea Eagles Gold Member. Despite living in Canada, how important is it for you to still be a Manly Member?
RB: It’s very important to me. Year after year, time marches on, and I lose just a little bit more of that Australian feeling, but being a Manly Member allows me to feel a connection not only to the team, but to the ‘old country’ as they say. Where I live is a very transient town. Few people stay here very long. So, walking around with the Manly Members cap on my head allows me to say hello to other Manly fans - and those poor souls who mistakenly follow other teams as well.
WC: Why should Sea Eagles fans who are not Members join up?
RB: There are a variety of reasons most of us know already: You feel part of the team, you get some swag and special offers, maybe you feel like you’ve gone from ‘a fan’ to ‘a supporter’, or it simply makes you feel good. But for me, it’s about the people. They are great. I’ve met quite a few online and they are also generous. I’m lucky enough to have been sent some promotional items over the years because they know I can’t stroll down to the ‘local Canadian Manly gear shop’.
WC: How do you like the official Sea Eagles website and our social media platforms? Do you belong to any Manly forums?
RB: The official Sea Eagles website has come along in leaps and bounds over the last few years. The media department deserve special congratulations for the quality of output they’re producing. I like that the website’s evolving, there’s improvements all the time. I visit the website most days, especially during the season. I also belong to a fan forum called Silvertails.
WC: When was the last time you came to a home game at 4 Pines Park?
RB: It breaks my heart to know that my last home game at Brookvale was in 2011 against the Warriors, sitting in the little tin shed next to the players. The last two times I’ve been in Sydney, it’s been the offseason. A fellow member showed me around 4 Pines Park, so I could pretend I was scoring a winning try. When Manly locals are on the fence about going to a home game, I wish they knew how lucky they are to have that choice!
WC: What do you like about the Sea Eagles season in 2024?
RB: I'm very excited about 2024. I think the team is well balanced with many exceptional players. If our team remains healthy and play like they know they can, we’ll give the competition a real shake. If the senior players instill confidence and belief in the younger guys, this team will be one very tough unit. Go Manly!
