Titans Head of Performance and Culture Mal Meninga often refers to games of rugby league being decided by “moments”.
One extra effort, or lazy attempt at tackle, one dropped ball or well-executed kick can mean the difference between winning and losing.
A full 80 minutes of effort, and in some cases, months of hard work and preparation, can be decided by one single moment.
The importance of a moment is also a message delivered by the Gold Coast Titans’ new corporate partners, DrinkWise.
DrinkWise, Mal and the Titans will work together to promote responsible attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol consumption.
The Gold Coast Titans are the first and only NRL club to be supported by DrinkWise as a sponsorship partner in what truly is a league-leading initiative.
DrinkWise will align their brand with Mal in his roles as Titans Head of Performance and Culture, and as coach of the Australian Kangaroos, to educate players and fans about responsible alcohol consumption.
This partnership with DrinkWise sets the Titans apart from every other club in the NRL and is a vote of confidence from DrinkWise and the NRL in the work the Club is doing and the direction it is heading.
DrinkWise has also entered a partnership with the NRL, driving a game-wide education program aimed at players, officials and fans about the importance of drinking in moderation.
The Titans were the first NRL club to participate in the DrinkWise education session, which is specifically designed to educate up to 4000 players across the nation, as well as NRL club officials and fans about the importance of drinking in moderation.
CEO of DrinkWise Simon Strahan, Mal, and leadership expert Ben Crowe spoke to the entire playing group and administration staff at the Titans.
While DrinkWise’s slogan is “never miss a moment” through the responsible consumption of alcohol, Meninga said it was just as important to understand why being in control and making good decisions in small moments could have lifelong effects.
“As a former player, and now coach and administrator, I have seen many situations in professional sport – not just rugby league – where promising careers have been derailed by individuals making poor choices,” Mal said.
“I think the modern professional athlete, like people in wider society, now understand that you don’t need to drink to have a good time with your mates, and certainly drinking to excess is seen as anti-social behaviour.
“The important message from the DrinkWise education sessions is that, if you do choose to drink, maintaining control of your actions by drinking in moderation will ensure you do not lose sight of your responsibilities to the people that depend on you – like your teammates and loved ones.
“One poor choice can have long-lasting effects on an individual, their future, and the people around them.
“This is an important message that needs support from everyone in our sport, so we can use the power and influence of rugby league to lead the way in our attitudes towards alcohol and set a positive example for the wider community that look to the game’s players as role models.”
