The Port Pirates have stood the test of time since foundation in 1974 and are set to celebrate with a black-tie fundraising dinner for Endeavour Clubhouse on May 25.

The Pirates 45th Anniversary Charity Ball will be held from 7pm at Westport Club and features music by Billy Hart, memorabilia and entertainment.

The rugby union club now holds 11 sides including teams for juniors, golden oldies, women and seniors, and sent players to the UK, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Japan since foundation.

President Leon Anderson said the club was built by the community and had contributed to additional clubs such as the Valley Vikings and Wauchope Thunder.

"The Pirates has been built from the Port Macquarie community, there was a number of people that came together to form not only a sporting club but a community group," he said.

"It has changed a lot, the league started with three teams in the Mid North Coast, Port, Kempsey and Taree - Gloucester joined the following year.

The Pirates would go on to field a reserve grade in 1983, an under 16s competition in 2014, under 14s in 2016 and a women's comp in 2017.

"I think one of the biggest things was Pirates winning over 17 first grade grand finals, when second grade came in 1983 we won the first second grade comp," said Mr Anderson.

"We were the first team to win three grades in a grand final.

"First to win four grades in a grand final and also took out the women's in the last two years."

The club has been bolstered in the past by former Wallaby Reg Smith, former Randwick A grader Des Taylor, late Mayor Wayne Richards, Rob Oakeshott and Peter Besseling.

"With the new grades Pirates is definitely family orientated, when you start getting families involved that makes a different club than what it looked like ten years ago," said Mr Anderson.

"Now the game comes second, it's the social part of mixing with players and other teams.

"Fundraising is just good to give back to the community, we accept that we are a very broad group of people who play rugby.

"Giving back to the community is one of the most selfless things you can do as a sporting group."

As part of the celebrations the Pirates will be raising awareness and funding for Port Macquarie's Endeavour Clubhouse.

EC mental health support worker Sarah Morgan said sporting organisations such as Port Pirates provide significant mental health benefits and vital community funding.

"Fundraising does a couple of things, we wouldn't be open without sporting communities and communities donating to us," said Ms Morgan.

"For our members it helps reduce the stigma that mental health has, when they are acknowledged by outside groups.

"It's not just about sport but it's the networking you do after that all contributes to good mental health and prevents social isolation.

"For the members that do participate in sporting clubs outside Endeavour, it significantly improves their mental health.

"And when you're in a team you can also check on the mental health of others."

The event is a formal ball with three course meal, tickets are $110 with 20 per cent of the ticket going towards Endeavour Clubhouse.

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