Last Sunday saw a mass gathering of the Titans pathway players in Ballina from the club's Northern Rivers programs.
120 aspiring Titans players were on hand from all of the club's programs in the Northern Rivers. In the boys it was the Future Titans under 14 academy, Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup under 16s and Laurie Daley Cup under 18s, Northern Rivers Titans newly formed under 17s academy plus female Northern Rivers Titans under 17s and Open Ladies squads.
The Northern Rivers region plays a key role in the Titans' catchment for junior development, with many players having come through the ranks since the club started in 2007 to make their NRL debut.
Ballina is the home of current Titans NRL player Brian Kelly an the region has always held a special place for the strike centre.
"Growing up, I was one of these kids around here going up to players and asking them to sign my shirt and my posters. Just to give back to the game after everything that has given me means something pretty special in my heart," Kelly said on a previous visit to the region.
It is these type of pathways and opportunities that the Titans want to continue to make available to the areas next crop of young men and women.
In a special nod to the region the teams will wear the Titans Indigenous jersey design from 2023 for the rep sides in 2024.
The designer of the jersey, proud Wiradjuri woman Narelle Urquhart, was on hand to share the meaning behind the design and its attachment to the region.