Rugby league fans and former teammates across the state are in mourning for Noel Haslam, the ex State League player who has died aged 44.
An entertainer in the early days of the Intrust Super Cup with Cairns Cyclones and Wynnum Manly Seagulls, the Mossman product also later played for regional clubs such as Charters Towers and Gympie.
Husband of Nicole and loving father to Kane, Chloe and Sophie, he will be remembered at a funeral service at Gympie Funeral Home Chapel next Monday, September 17 at 10.30am.
Aside from being a talented rugby league player, Haslam also represented Queensland in cross country running as a teenager.
A crowdfunding campaign had recently been set up to help the Haslam family with medical expenses after Haslam suffered heart failure due to a rare viral infection, seeing him relocated to Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane.
The same campaign paid tribute to a "hard-working, hard-playing, humble family man".
"From coaching junior rugby league to training Indigenous youth in carpentry skills for further employment, Noel is a huge believer in empowering people to be the best they can be," the tribute said.
Haslam resided in rural Tamaree to the north of Gympie and, as a registered builder, ran a business called Country Pride Homes.
A South Burnett news agency ran a story in 2014 to exhibit Haslam's role in encouraging youth from Cherbourg to study hard and obtain a trade.
Haslam was said to have fallen ill in a visit to Horn Island in the Zenadth Kes region.
Aside from being a husband and father, Noel was son to Noel Snr and Etta, and a brother to Sandra, Katie-Pearl and Wayne.
