THE Gold Coast Titans held their annual Reconciliation Week Event earlier this week, launching their new 2021 Indigenous jersey and new Titans Cultural Collective advisory group.
Showcasing their commitment to multicultural players, staff and the wider community, the event featured traditional Indigenous and Pasifika food, gifts, performances and training.
The event also marked the launch of the Titans Cultural Collective, an advisory and advocacy group made up of Titans staff, players and community members from different cultures.
The group organises events, works with the community on cultural programs and strives to help players and staff connect with their culture and background more.
Titans Community and Game Development General Manager Renee Cohen, said the group is really excited to showcase their plans with the Club throughout the year.
“We have a lot of exciting events planned for our community throughout the year,” Cohen said.
“Being the first Club in any sporting code around Australia to have a cultural advisory group like this is really exciting.
“We can’t wait to showcase all of our wonderful players, staff, families and community members at these upcoming events,” she said.
Gold Coast Titans Co-Captain and proud Bundjalung man Jamal Fogarty said today’s event was a great step forward uniting culture.
“For us as a Club, including the Pasifika culture is really important,” Fogarty said.
“It is a great initiative of our Club to include all cultures in the event.
“We get to sit together with multiple elders of different communities and share our experiences over some cultural food.
“For me, this week is just about getting out there and educating yourself.
“If you don’t know a lot, you can get out there and ask local elders or your friends and family.
“It’s a good way to understand what’s happening and how we can be better as a community moving forward,”
Throughout the day, players, staff and guests had the opportunity to hear former Titans School to Work student Ash-Leigh Banks, speak about her 2021 Indigenous jersey design.
“The artwork that I have created represents the players not just coming together as Torres Straight Island and Aboriginal players but as a family, they walk proudly onto the field each and every game carrying their culture on their backs," Banks said.
All guests were invited to enjoy a cultural lunch, before participating in both Indigenous and Pasifika cultural training.
