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By Lee Gaskin, Canberra Times
Ricky Stuart will be following Mal Meninga down the fairways, but a desire to rejoin the NRL coaching ranks means he won't partner his premiership-winning teammate as a consultant at the Raiders.

Meninga and Stuart will be among a host of high-profile celebrities, including Brumbies and Wallabies great George Gregan and TV legend Kerri-Anne Kennerley, teeing off to raise awareness for autism at the Ricky Stuart Foundation Celebrity Pro-Am at the Royal Canberra Golf Club on February 13.

Launching the event yesterday, Stuart said he held a soft spot for the club, with which he won three premierships, but ruled out any official role with the Raiders this year after Meninga was appointed as a club ambassador.

''I want to keep coaching for a number of years yet,'' the NSW coach said.

''I'm keen to get back in the NRL and hopefully that opportunity happens some day.''

Stuart had a dream start in the coaching ranks, taking the Sydney Roosters to the title in his first year in charge in 2002.

He led the Bondi club back to the grand final the next year only to be beaten by Penrith in the decider.

Stuart left the Roosters at the end of 2006, starting the first of four seasons with the Cronulla Sharks before becoming the first full-time coach of NSW last year.

The move paid immediate dividends, as the Blues went within a game of ending Queensland's six-year State of Origin reign.

Meninga has been at the helm of the Maroons during their domination, making him the perfect candidate to add support to the Raiders and coach David Furner.

''It's fantastic decision to have Mal on board,'' Stuart said.

''He's a great profile for the club and a great advocate ... he'll be a good sounding board for David [Furner].''

While Stuart has an eye on turning the tables on Meninga from the coach's box, the golf course is another matter.

The 16-handicapper sprayed a couple of practice drives from the first tee to suggest he'll be out of the running for the $30,000 prizemoney on offer for his Pro-Am.

Luckily, he's not in it for the paycheck.

This cause is as personal as it gets.

Stuart's 14-year-old daughter Emma suffers from autism, a disorder of neural development characterised by impaired social interaction and by restricted and repetitive behaviour.

''It's been a tough six months of late with my daughter getting older,'' Stuart said.

''I thought it was about time to create some awareness for more resources and more care for autism and all disabilities.

''We've found some difficulties over the last six months and there's not a lot of help out there. If we can help one child or family, it's going to be a great focal point.''

World-class golf professionals Brendan Jones, Peter O'Malley and Andre Stolz headline a 54-strong field who will contest the fifth-richest purse for a one-day Pro-Am in Australia.

January 25, 2012