The Gold Coast is my home.
It welcomed me when I got my first opportunity to play for the Gold Coast Chargers, and I was devastated when the team folded and I had to move to Sydney.
I can remember the sadness of the community when they lost their national team, and how hard they fought over the years to have a team reinstated.
That is why returning to play for the Titans felt like a homecoming, and why I was so proud to be part of that inaugural side.
The Gold Coast was always where I wanted to play my rugby league career.
From the start, the Titans wanted to show its appreciation to the community and, even in these tough times on the field, the players are out and about in schools, at junior clubs, in hospitals and supporting people in need across the community.
Gold Coast Bulletin - Support the Club
The Titans are part of the community.
This is their town.
They are our team.
The Gold Coast is their home.
That is why all the talk about the team folding or relocating to Brisbane needs to be shut down.
People need to remember why we fought so hard to have an NRL team on the Gold Coast.
It provides inspiration to young kids across the region and I am not just talking about those that play rugby league.
One of my proudest moments this year was playing for the Titans Physical Disability team against the visiting Wakefield side from England.
This was all about the Titans providing an opportunity and a platform for these players to shine.
And the crowd loved it.
They were proud of the club and the support provided by the players and staff in making this happen.
This is the heart and soul of the Titans.
They are there for the community when they are needed.
At the moment, the team is struggling on the field, but a new season with a new coach is ahead.
The fortunes of a rugby league team can change quickly, but if we don’t have a team our community will be the poorer.
When I visit the club, young Ethan Sloane is there to greet me with a smile and a hug.
He is the face of the Titans.
Perhaps it is our turn to give the Titans a hug, and let them know we are there to support them.
After all, they are our team, and this is their home.
