Titans players Ash Taylor, Brian Kelly surprise Gold Coast schoolboy with Down syndrome

This Coast schoolboy is just seven years old but this weekend he’s facing thousands of cheering fans when he runs onto the footy field alongside his idols.

A GOLD Coast schoolboy has been given the surprise of a lifetime after high-ranking Titans players paid a visit to his classroom.

Kyan Newshaw, 7, who was born with Down syndrome, will this weekend run onto the field of the Titans’ Down Syndrome Queensland Charity Match for the third year in a row.

Players Ash Taylor and Brian Kelly yesterday decided to surprise him at school to celebrate with the T-shirt he’ll be wearing at Sunday’s match.

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This weekend marks Kyan’s third time joining players on the field. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Titans have partnered with DSQ for the past six years to put on the event, which helps to raise awareness of both the charity and the condition.

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More than 150 people from the Down syndrome community are set to attend the match.

Gold Coast volunteer Cally Ward said it was an amazing moment for Kyan.

“The event’s been around for Kyan’s entire life, which is amazing, and this is his third year,” she said.

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The players took the chance to toss the ball around with Kyan and his classmates. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Over the last two years, as luck would have it, he’s run out with Ash Taylor each time. So we thought it would be quite a nice idea for that relationship between him and Ash to be cemented.”

More than three dozen children with Down syndrome will run out onto the pitch with players from both teams this weekend, supported by an honour guard at the Titans tunnel.

“Something that’s unique to this across the whole of the NRL is that both teams have always taken part, the away team and the Titans,” Ms Ward said.

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Kyan will wear the shirt on the field this weekend. Picture: Jerad Williams

“(The kids) can really experience the adulation and the cheers of the crowd, be the centre of attention. They really love the excitement and the glamour of the day.”

The heartwarming meeting comes after Ash Taylor yesterday announced he would make his return to the footy field this weekend, playing in the small central Queensland town of Ilfracombe.

It marks his first match since he announced he would take a break from the game in June.

Originally published as Titans players Ash Taylor, Brian Kelly surprise Gold Coast schoolboy with Down syndrome