‘The Greatest’ helped treat some young Gold Coast rugby league fans to the greatest day of their lives at the Titans’ game against the Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
Thanks to our community partners Condev Cares, the Titans were proud to welcome our friends at Down Syndrome Queensland to the game, with some very special Gold Coasters living the dream by escorting the two teams onto the field.
Every year for the past six years, the Titans have partnered with Down syndrome Queensland (DSQ) to create an amazing opportunity for people with Down syndrome
The Titans enable young people with Down syndrome to experience a wonderful day at the heart of the Gold Coast community, as they run out on the pitch with the players at the start of the game.
Titans skipper Tyrone Roberts, senior players Jarrod Wallace and Kevin Proctor and the entire Gold Coast playing squad embraced the occasion, sharing a brilliant moment with these wonderful kids.
The look of joy on their faces – the players and their Tiny Titans teammates – was a reminder to all about the importance of community and the power of rugby league to make positive change to people’s lives.
The Gold Coast Titans, through the Titans Community Foundation, support numerous charities and organisations that are making better lives for people that need our help.
Titans Executive Chairman Dennis Watt applauded the support of the Melbourne Storm, lead by their captain Cameron Smith, who joined the Titans in creating such a special occasion for the kids from Down Syndrome Queensland.
“Supporting our community is at the heart of what the Gold Coast Titans are about, and everyone at our club lives and breathes that commitment every day,” Watt said.
“Our players are very generous with their time for important occasions like this, because they understand the importance of giving back to the community that supports them.
“But for Cameron and the Storm to support the event in the way that they did epitomised how great our game can be.
“Cameron and the Storm players not only participated, but went out of their way to ensure each one of those kids left Cbus Super Stadium with memories that they, and their families, will cherish for a lifetime.
“Cameron has just played his 400th NRL game, he has achieved everything there is to achieve in the game, without doubt will be an Immortal of the game, and is arguably the greatest player of all time. Yet moments like this only make him greater in the eyes of the rugby league community.
“It is not just how Cameron Smith plays rugby league that makes him a champion, but what he does for rugby league that will ensure he is remembered as the greatest of all time.
“He sets the standard for everyone in the game, on and off the field.
“His support of the Titans and Down Syndrome Queensland on this occasion is a credit to him, his family and the Storm. We thank them all for sharing the Titans’ care for the rugby league community.”
More than 150 people from the Down Syndrome community attended the game, with 22 kids escorting the players onto the field and another seven adults with Down Syndrome forming a guard of honour at the Titans tunnel.
For the children, running on to the field allows them to feel the excitement of the game day and take in the cheers of the crowd.
For their families, taking part in the day has an enormous impact.
Bringing up a special-needs child can be tough, and there are dark days for families.
The Titans give the Down Syndrome community a day to shine – to be together as a group and to feel the wonderful spirit of acceptance and inclusion of rugby league on the Gold Coast.
