While the NRL has navigated its way through COVID-19 maintaining regular matches and slowly welcoming back crowds, there are two Titans teams who haven’t hit the paddock since March.
Buy your 50/50 Charity Tickets and support Titans Together
The Gold Coast Titans Intellectual Disability Rugby League (IDRL) and Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) teams have been eagerly awaiting their return to football. In its second season (third season for PDRL and first for IDRL) the team held a ‘come and try’ session, one training run and were announced at the Titans Official Season Launch, but that was all before COVID-19 put a stop to season 2020.
The first training run post the hiatus was held at the Parkwood Sharks Junior Rugby League Club last Wednesday afternoon and enthusiasm was high from the get-go. Players were put through their paces across skills, games and full contact drills.
The PDRL team is led by Craig Wallace, father of current Titans player, Jarrod, and while it is only training at the moment, there is the hope that there may be an opportunity to play a game later in the year with a number of NRL clubs also having their own teams, including the Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors.
Wallace said. “It is fantastic to get the team back on the training paddock. There was a worry we may get no more opportunities at all this year, but now we are hopeful of even getting games later in the year.”
“We made such great strides in 2019, it was a shame to halt the momentum, but with the enthusiasm our players have for rugby league we knew they would be straight back into it at the first opportunity.” Said Wallace.
Wallace is joined in coaching the PDRL side by Manager, Michala Higgins, while Mitch Campbell leads the IDRL team and is supported by new Manager Darren Daley.
They may not know when their next game is, but one thing is for sure the Titans’ PDRL and IDRL teams will be ready to go and give it their all when that moment comes.
Titans Together
The Titans PDRL and IDRL team are supported by the Titans Together . Established to actively support local schools, clubs, charities and community organisations through our programs, appearances and donations.
A key component of the Titans Together programme is the engagement of schools, students, parents and teachers through our specially formatted programs, targeting academic and social areas in education.
The success of our programs lead the club to be awarded the 2009 NRL Community Club of the Year. You can support Titans Together by participating in the 50/50 raffle available each game. Find out more here
Titans PDRL & IDRL
Established in 2018, the Titans Physical Disabilities Rugby League (PDRL) team grants the opportunity for people with a physical disability to play the game of Rugby League.
What started as an idea from Northern Rivers community member, Terry Litton, has begun the movement towards a regular PDRL competition. Learn more
Current Coaching Staff
- PDRL Coach: Craig Wallace
- PDRL Manager: Michala Higgins
- IDRL Coach: Mitch Campbell
- IDRL Manager: Darren Daley
