Gold Coast Titans hosted the Harmony Festival Gala Day for students who have participated in the Queensland (QLD) pilot of the social cohesion program, ‘In League In Harmony’ (ILIH) at the Titans High Performance Centre on Thursday 23rd November from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
In League In Harmony has successfully been delivered in NSW for 5 years and the NRL successfully launched the pilot program in QLD in partnership with the QLD Government, during Term 4 of the 2017 school year.
The pilot program facilitated by former Gold Coast Titans player and NRL Ambassador Clinton Toopi with assistance from NRL Game Development Officer Tim McIntyre has been delivered to 4 groups. 90 youth have participated in a series of interactive themed messages around the NRL’s values of ‘teamwork’ and ‘inclusiveness’ and Rugby League skill based sessions, over the past 6 weeks during Term 4 of the 2017 year.
The Gala Day was hosted in partnership with the Gold Coast Titans with youth taking part in non-competitive NRL Touch Football games to celebrate their participation in the program. A DJ, Harmony Walk, shared lunch and tour of the Gold Coast Titans high performance training facilities added to the festival atmosphere.
Clinton said that being a part of the ILIH pilot program has been an amazing journey in QLD. “We instil empowering messages that add value to students but also shape leaders of our communities through our amazing game rugby league.” Mr Toopi said.
Titans players John Olive and Phillip Sami paid a visit to the event to mingle with the students and also throw the ball around. Olive said that this program has demonstrated how Rugby League can act as a tool to breakdown cultural differences. “It’s really great to see students from so many different cultural backgrounds coming together and sharing the love for sport and celebrating their diversity”.
A presentation was conducted following the on-field activities with certificates awarded to all participants for showcasing positive attitudes and active participation and contribution. 2 Youth Ambassadors were chosen from each group who have displayed leadership qualities throughout the program to be involved in the NRL Youth Ambassadors Program.
