Titans partnership a boost for junior rugby league

A PARTNERSHIP with the Gold Coast Titans NRL club is expected to boost junior rugby league development across the Northern Rivers and Tweed region.

The Titans have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to align Groups 1, 18 and Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL) together under one banner.

Former NRL player Matt Keating and local coach Shaun Davison will help drive the program as coaches.

“Junior development is a big thing, this will bring everything together under one umbrella,” NRRRL chairman Max Beecher said.

“Shaun does a great job; he’ll have the right ideas on how to move the program along.

“Hopefully it will be a big step forward and help give players a bit more security so they can go as far as they’re capable of going.”

The partnership will include ongoing financial support, community engagement and joint training programs.

The Northern Rivers Titans Academies has also launched, with its junior representative games to be played in February.

The MOU is expected to have a lasting impact with the most up-to-date information and programs for players, coaches, volunteers and referees.

Rugby League Northern Rivers president Robin Harley said the partnership includes an annual financial contribution by the Titans that will be put towards initiatives across the region.

“We’re thrilled to formalise this partnership with the Titans, as it enables us to support and nurture our players and coaches from the grassroots up to the elite level,” he said.

“This MOU is a unified commitment to the Northern Rivers community, creating more opportunities for young players to develop their skills and embody the values that define Titans players – effort, attitude, and desire.”

The Titans and Rugby League Northern Rivers will coordinate a joint events calendar to help bring NRL and NRLW players to the region as often as possible.

Titans staff will conduct training and coaching sessions at the Parkwood High Performance Centre on the Gold Coast and across the Northern Rivers.

Northern Rivers products Brian Kelly and Alofiana Khan-Pereira are part of the Titans NRL team while Josh Patston is on a train and trial deal at the club over summer.