Gold Coast Titans players will this week swap their training gear for hi-vis workwear with the entire NRL squad to take part in four days out in the workforce, spread across our region.
An initiative put forward by Head Coach Garth Brennan, along with the Welfare, Education and Commercial departments, they have placed each of the Titans 31 squad members across a range of different businesses, with each to gain experience of what life is like on a job site. Players will be treated like any normal employee, working eight hours a day and will also be required to attend training sessions back at the Titans High Performance Centre, three nights of the week.
Whether it be washing cars, labouring, brick laying, landscaping, plumbing, electrical, each player will take part in labour-intensive work, something Brennan believes will build character amongst the group.
"We started pre-season training early and it has been something I have been thinking about for a while," Brennan said.
"I know some other clubs do similar things but for us this about so much more. Our entire squad will be supporting locals in our community and supporting the local businesses that support us.
"A lot of our players come through the grades and straight into full-time training. I want them to experience what it's like for our corporates, members and fans. What it's like to have a full day of work and then go to training, or the gym.
"It's also about the players being out in the community. I want the people of the Gold Coast to know our players and feel like they can approach them for a chat wherever they are.
"There are so many reasons and I can only see the positives in doing something like this. I know the entire playing group are keen to get out and get their hands dirty.
"Hopefully this short period spent out with these businesses will give them a taste of what it's like but will also help them show some gratitude and to be thankful for the job that they do have as professional sportspeople."
Jen Cross, Titans Player Education Manager, believes it will give the entire playing group some great experience.
"All of our players take part in a range of different education but some on the job training will only be of benefit, as we all know that a rugby league career doesn't last forever," Cross said.
"All of our players are talented enough to be professional athletes but they all know that at some stage in their lifetime they will need to enter the workforce."
