Schwass wins Mat Rogers Medal

[TITAN PETE]

Adam Gardini
Friday 10 May 2013 3:19 PM

Gold Coast Under-18s junior representative player Daniel Schwass has today been awarded the inaugural Mat Rogers Medal.

Before a crowd of over 400 guests at “Carty’s Long Lunch” at Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino, Schwass was announced as the inaugural winner of the Mat Rogers Medal ahead of three other finalists.

The focus of “Carty’s Long Lunch” was supporting the Gold Coast Titans’ Junior Pathways program, with a percentage of the proceeds from today’s lunch to be donated towards Gold Coast Junior Rugby League and senior Gold Coast Rugby League.

Coaches of the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League Representative Under-16s and Under-18s sides nominated players from each team for the award based on their overall contributions to the team, including qualities such as: leadership, work ethic on and off the field, manners towards staff and teammates and being an outstanding ambassador for the game.

Schwass, a Mudgeeraba Redbacks junior, played halfback for the Gold Coast White Under-18s team which qualified for the Grand Final of this year’s Mal Meninga Cup competition.

“It’s a bit overwhelming actually. I wasn’t expecting it and there were three other deserving finalists as well,’’ said Schwass after being presented with the medal on stage.

“I’d like to thank my mum. Without her I wouldn’t have been able to get to training when I was younger and I definitely wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play rugby league.’’

MAT ROGERS MEDAL WINNER & FINALISTS FOR 2013

* WINNER– Daniel Schwass: Gold Coast White Mal Meninga Cup (Under-18s) halfback, Mudgeeraba Redbacks Junior.

* Keegan Hipgrave: Gold Coast White Cyril Connell Cup (Under-16s) prop, Nerang Roosters Junior, Palm Beach Currumbin High School student, was awarded the Gold Coast White Best & Fairest award and was also selected in 2013 U16 QLD team.

* Jacob Roby – Gold Coast Green Cyril Connell Cup (Under-16s) lock, Burleigh Bears junior, Palm Beach Currumbin High School student.

* Sam Grant – Gold Coast Green Mal Meninga Cup (Under-18s) halfback, Cudgen JRL, has completed school
The presentation of the inaugural Mat Rogers Medal acts as further recognition for Rogers’ contribution to Gold Coast rugby league.

The Medal was named in honour of Rogers, who grew up on the Gold Coast and played for the Nerang Roosters as a junior before forging a successful career on and off the field as a Dual-International in rugby union and rugby league, including 77 games for the Titans at the twilight of his career from 2007-2011.
Rogers said it was a privilege to have the Medal named in his honour.

“It’s a real honour. As a young kid coming through the ranks, all I ever wanted to be was a footballer,’’ said Rogers.

“The one thing I love about the programs that schools have in place and club’s like the Titans is their Junior Rugby League pathways can paint a bit of a clearer picture for kids now to move into those ranks.
“I know that my son follows through it and I know there is a clear pathway for him.

“To have a medal named in my honour is huge and I guess my kids will grow up and see it and maybe one day one of them will win it, who knows.’’

Rogers was joined by iSelect Titans Head Coach John Cartwright and Co-Captains Greg Bird and Nate Myles at the lunch along with special guests - former English cricket captain turned boxer Adam Hollioake and Olympic swimmer Meagen Nay.

Cartwright said the Gold Coast Junior Pathways Program and accolades such as the Mat Rogers Medal was so important for the future of the Titans.

“It’s hugely important. If you look at the make-up of our NRL team at the moment, there are guys like Matt Srama, Sam Irwin, Ben Ridge, Kevin Gordon, David Mead and Ryan James that have come through our Junior Pathways Program,’’ said Cartwright.

“Our Under-20s hasn’t been going all that long so to get that many kids coming through and graduate into the NRL, there wouldn’t be many other clubs that would have those numbers.’’