Titans form partnership with Queensland Touch football
http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/
THE Titans will have a headstart in unearthing the next Benji Marshall or Shaun Johnson after forging an alliance with Queensland Touch *Football.
The state body’s southern Queensland men’s and women’s representative teams will be rebranded the Titans and have access to the Gold Coast NRL high-performance facilities once their new Parkwood facility is complete.
Touch football has been the starting point for some of rugby league’s top players and the partnership between the Titans and QTF provides a pathway for the region’s best players to advance to the top level in both games.
QTF boss Jamie O’Connor said he was excited by what the partnership could deliver both organisations as it built on the link formed by the NRL and Touch Football Australia in 2013.
“There is now an opportunity for male and female players to become a Titan in both contact and non-contact versions of our sports which is exciting,’’ O’Connor said.
“This will be the new benchmark for other NRL club and touch football relationships. It is a genuine partnership.”
Titans CEO Graham *Annesley said the deal was *another step in growing the *Titans’ fan base and strengthening the club’s connections with the community.
“Touch football has a massive participation base of men, women, boys and girls who will, through this alignment, become part of the Titans family,’’ Annesley said.
“The benefits that will flow for the Titans brand and the continuing growth and development of participation in both rugby league and touch football will be a major boost to both organisations.’’
Titans player Kane Elgey, who with halves partner Ashley Taylor took part in the program launch yesterday, said the link was a great move for the club.
“As a pathway system, you could find the next Shaun Johnson, he’s from that background and a few of the boys in our team play touch as well,’’ Elgey said.
“It’s good for the community to bring the club to a new audience, so I think it’s good.’’