Titans Physical Disability Team (PDRL) and Leagueability

Nearly 12 months ago the Gold Coast Titans launched 'Titans Together' with the aim to Care, Include, Unite and Inspire.

The Titans Foundation uses the popularity and profile of rugby league and the Gold Coast Titans to create a better life for our people in the community and is driving change through the power of positive action.

As the one-year anniversary of Titans Together nears (February 4, 2021), we take a look back at the work done across one of the four key pillars of the foundation - inclusion.

The aim of Titans Together is to make rugby league the greatest game - for all.

In doing this, the Club is extremely proud of the Physical Disability and Intellectual Disability Rugby League Teams (Leagueability) and the various supporting inclusion programs.

From its establishment in 2018 with just 11 players to now boasting 40+ participants, the Leaguability teams have gained a strong following across the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers community.

The PDRL team is led by Craig Wallace, father of current Titans player, Jarrod, who says the players are keen to get back on the field after COVID interrupted their 2020 season plans.

“We made such great strides in 2019, it was a shame to halt the momentum, but with the enthusiasm our players have for rugby league we knew they would be straight back into it at the first opportunity.” Said Wallace.

It is not just rugby league-related activities where the support stops though.

From supporting the Disabled Surfing Association of Australia to Down Syndrome Queensland, with the Down Syndrome run-out event and Touch Football specialised, Titans Together works to include all within the Gold Coast community.

Titans players, coaching and administration staff are proud to support such valuable programs that allow people the opportunity to participate in main stream activities.

Learn more and support Titans Together via donation here -

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/...-game-for-all/

If anyone wants to see a great story and see what the titans are doing with their league ability program jump on the main titans website and have a look at the story on Ethan our chief morale officer and Dennis Watts, it makes me so proud to be a titans member after watching the story

Just watched it lonegull, that is an awesome tribute to the way the club is embracing everyone in the community. It’s a credit to Dennis and Steve and the whole organisation

Watch this guys. You might see a guy from here on it.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CemVn2P...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Australia jerseys on the line in PDRL showdown
Videos: https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...pdrl-showdown/

Saturday night is set to be a momentous occasion for the Gold Coast Titans' physical disability rugby league program when they face off against Sydney in a curtain-raiser to the Macca's Local Derby.

Four years in the making, this will be the first time the side has matched up against another team, previously having played games among one another at various home games at Cbus Super Stadium.

Adding to the occasion, there will be more than just bragging rights on the line, with the clash to be a selection trial for the Australian PDRL side, who will travel to the United Kingdom at the end of the year to participate in the Rugby League World Cup.

With green and gold jerseys on the line, no one is more excited than long-time participant and 2021 PDRL player of the year Dean Clark, who has been playing for the Titans the last four seasons.

"It feels really good because it's been about three to four years in the making," Clark said.

"We're supposed to play two years ago and then COVID hit. The players were all ready before we sadly had to cancel.

The players love playing and they've been waiting for this for a while.

"It's not going to be an exhibition match and Sydney are taking it serious too, especially with it being a try-out for the Australian team to play in England in October at the World Cup."

The 52-year-old - who suffered a traumatic brain injury - has been a rugby league fanatic all his life and is very appreciative of the club's all abilities program which gives people like himself the opportunity to get out and play the game he loves - and even the chance to represent his country.

"Being a PDRL player, it's a great opportunity for people that haven't even played football before to go and play and even represent Australia," Clark said.

"I know a few of our players should make it. They're capable of making it, but we've just got to get through this week first before looking too far ahead."

Given the match is a different style of footy to the usual NRL offering, Clark is encouraging everyone to come down early to catch a glimpse of the action and cheer the Titans home against Sydney.

"Everyone should come down and watch because it is different," Clark said.

"People may think it's like touch football but it's definitely not touch... this is tackle and when you get hit by a tackler who's got cerebral palsy and stuff like that... it's tough.

"We can definitely put on a good show."

Kick-off is at 6pm, ahead of the Titans v Broncos derby at 7.35pm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bayside Titan

Watch this guys. You might see a guy from here on it.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CemVn2P...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

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Wow. That was emotional stuff. Definitely shed a tear. What is what sport should be all about. And we are lucky that the Titans feel the same way.