Champion has high hopes in 2013

iSelect Gold Coast Titans centre Beau Champion who had an unlucky 2012 with injury is confident in making 2013 his year.

Champion, who’s recovering from ankle surgery continued doing the hard yards with the rehabilitation squad today said, “I want to have my best season in 2013. I know that the club wants a really big season and I know that we’re going to be working really hard. I want to be a part of it and I want to have a really good year.”

Champion underwent an ankle reconstruction after round 18 last season and is working closely with medical and training staff in order to give him every chance to return by round one.

“It’s a bit of a process at the moment,” said Champion. “Slowly but surely I’m putting in a bit more everyday.

“I’ve had a monitored program so far and the new strength and conditioning coaches have really stepped it up this year. You’re going to see a really fit Titans side come 2013.”

To reach his goal of returning fighting fit for round one, Champion has worked hard to make some changes off the paddock in relation to his approach to training and game preparation and has given himself a big workload for the coming year.

“I’ve had to change a lot of things in my life off the field, and that’s going to put me in good stead on the field. Obviously I have to work hard and my focus this year is fully on football."

“That’s the way it’s going to be and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got this year.”

While his aims for 2013 include a return to representative football as he did in 2010 with the Indigenous All Stars and NSW Country teams, at this point in time Champion is happy to be focused on resuming full pre-season training with the Titans.

“It’s been pretty tough but I’ve set myself to come back in two or three weeks,” he said. “The reconstruction is a three month recovery but I am putting in extra work every day and trying to improve every day.”