The annual O’Dwyer Shield has been held at Piggabeen Sports Complex, with Tweed primary schools St Joseph’s and St James again coming together to share the field and the spirit of rugby league.
The O’Dwyer Shield is held every in honour of Ryan O’Dwyer, the brother of 2007 foundation Titans player, Luke.
While Luke was able to realise his dream of playing in the NRL, reaching 128 first grade games with Parramatta and the Titans, Ryan was denied his chance after tragically losing his battle with leukaemia in 1998 while student at St Joseph’s.
Every year since 2005, the O’Dwyer Shield has been held to honour Ryan’s memory, with an under-10 and an under-12 match between the two schools that Luke attended as a student.
For the players, the focus is on fun and enjoyment on the footy field, as well as gratitude for being able to play the game they love – an experience that was taken too quickly from Ryan.
The Titans have supported the O’Dwyer Shield matches since Luke moved to the Titans in 2007, and since his retirement in 2013.
The 2020 matches were a fitting exhibition and celebration of rugby league and the Tweed community, played in front of a big crowd of family, friends and supporters – including Luke and his parents.
The Titans would like to congratulate all players and officials, as well as Luke and the O’Dwyer family, for another successful event.
