There will be plenty of larrikins in the room plus an abundance of Gold Coast’s top-line-league memories … and you can be there.
To celebrate the NRL’s Heritage Round when we play Parramatta at home on July 23, you can join a gathering of players who have represented the Gold Coast – from Giants of 1988 to Titans of today – at a sportsman’s luncheon and reunion at our new home, Parkwood International.
The lunch, which features grand final winners Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs and Kevin Campion, our own Greg Bird, comedian Steve Alison and MC Scott Sattler all on stage, takes place on Friday, July 22.
Here at the Titans we believe our heritage reaches further than the spawning of the club leading up to our first season of 2007. It goes back to the Giants who were the first Gold Coast representatives on the national stage in 1988 who became the Seagulls and then the Chargers who lasted until the 1988 season.
After a hiatus from 1999-2006, the Titans emerged.
To marry all these teams and eras together, the ‘From Giants to Titans’ old boy’s association has been formed, and former players from all eras (and all senior grades) will be invited to form a guard of honour for the Titans NRL team to run out to when they take on the Eels at Cbus Super Stadium.
But they will come together the day before for the reunion and sportsman’s lunch and many of them will stay at the Kirra Hotel and rekindle old exploits.
At the luncheon there will be a major raffles, auction items and a chance to play one of the best golf courses in the world on Parkwood’s state of art simulator.
Funds raised will go towards a scholarship that will be awarded to an emerging local player, the Titans under-20s player of the year award that the old boys association sponsors and the charity of From Giants to Titans choice – Cad’s Cause.
This is a cause close to the heart of the Titans it was established in honour of media manager Neil Cadigan’s late son Andrew Cadigan, who walked solo around Australia in honour a mate who had died at age 24 from a leukaemia-related condition called myelodysplasia (MDS). Sadly, Andrew lost his own life weeks after he finished the walk, from fatal injuries suffered in a motor accident in Thailand.
Australia’s first research program into MDS was initiated by the Leukaemia Foundation, named after Andrew – who had raised more than $75,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation and Cancer Council during his walk. The Cadigan family has vowed the fund the $180,000 costs for the three-year research program.
Half the all profits from the lunch will go to that cause.
Neil wrote a book on Andrew’s walk and subsequent fate, called with Every Step (after initially being self-published as A Man and a Pram), which has received critical acclaim and approaches to turn into a movie. Books will be available on the day, signed by the author.
To book for the lunch (individual seats or tables of eight) call Parkwood on (07) 5563 3342 or email events@parkwoodgc.com.au.
For former players, of any grade, who would like to attend or register with 'From Giants to Titans', email edenc@titans.com.au.
For more details about Cad’s Cause go to: www.ozonfoot.com.au.
