It’s a celebration of culture that has become one of the most popular fixtures on the Gold Coast Titans calendar.
The club’s third annual Cultural Night, featured representatives from the Titans NRL, NRLW, Netball and Leagueability programs, showcasing the diverse range of athletes that represent the club and highlighting their culture and heritage.
More than 450 people, with over 100 performers attended the event at Glow Church in Robina, with Kevin Dando and Bo De La Cruz hosting the night of entertainment and education.
The event was organised by the Titans Cultural Collective (TCC) – a multicultural advisory group made up of staff, players and community members. The TCC is the only advisory panel of its kind across the NRL, with the collective’s role to support Titans players and staff to learn more about their cultures. They strive to make the club a culturally safe place both on and off the field.
Held at Glow Church Robina, the evening began with a Kapahaka from a Maori group and a Welcome to Country from Uncle John Graham.
Indigenous players, including David Fifita, Shaylee Bent, Brian Kelly, Jacob Alick-Wiencke and Alofiana Khan-Pereira spoke to those in attendance, explaining more about where their family was from and what their culture meant to them.
Titans Cultural Night 2024
The night featured performances from Mamana Academy (Tongan), Kings Siva Academy (Samoan), Toa (Maori), Birren (Aboriginal), Paiti Entertainment (Cook Islands) and Tupai & Family (one half of R&B/Soul duo, Adeaze from New Zealand).
EPIC Pacific Polynesian Cuisine catered the event, with all in attendance enjoying the array of food on offer.
Mixed in with the performers, Titans stars including Keano Kini, Josiah Pahulu, Jojo Fifita, Tony Francis and Destiny Mino-Sinapati all featuring in the dance routines, with the players having a chance to celebrate their culture. Members of the Titans Netball side featured alongside the Kings Siva Academy performers.
Kini took the role of Manaia as he joined performers on stage. Manaia is a gender-neutral name of Samoan and Maori origin. In Maori culture, the Manaia is a mythological creature who serves as a messenger between the mortal and spirit worlds.
Alongside Support Mates, a host of Titans Leagueability players also featured on-stage throughout the night, showcasing the inclusivity that exists at the Titans.
The night was also able to raise further funds for injured Future Titan Joseph Pouniu. Joseph was suffered an on-field injury while playing for the club in 2023, resulting in a severe spinal cord injury that left the teenager unable to regain movement from his shoulders down. You can donate to Joseph by CLICKING HERE.
