Gold Coast Titans’ tighten relationship with schoolboy powerhouse Marsden SHS school
The Titans have moved to shore up rugby league rich Logan City from the Broncos and the threat of an encroaching Queensland-based 17th NRL team by formalising a relationship with schoolboy powerhouse Marsden SHS.
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The Gold Coast Titans have moved to shore up rugby league rich Logan City from the Broncos and the threat of an encroaching Queensland-based 17th NRL team by formalising a relationship with schoolboy powerhouse Marsden SHS.
Cameron Smith’s old school will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gold Coast, enabling players access to all the bells and whistles of the Titans’ facilities.
The school which has league high-flyers such as Smith, Israel Folau, Jaydn Su’a, Brenko Lee, Corey Allan, Antonio Winterstein and Chris Sandow as alumni is one of the Langer Cup’s heavy-lifters.
Marsden SHS rugby league students will have access to training facilities, coaching and off-field assistance, while the school coaches will have access to the Titans brains’ trust.
In return the Titans hope they will build relationships with players and the Logan community and have a better chance of securing elite rookies on junior contracts.
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“You’d be pretty ignorant not to realise that this is one of the biggest talent nurseries in the country,’’ said Titans CEO Steve Mitchell.
The arrangement does not guarantee Marsden SHS students will not sign with other NRL clubs, already the arrangement has seen Chris Sandow nephew Dominique Sandow on a rookie deal while Will Semu, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa, EJ Finau and Sione Fotuaika were already contracted by the Titans.
“As the kids are coming through, aspirationally we want them to be thinking about the Titans,’’ Mitchell said.
Mitchell stressed the association would benefit both boys and young women playing rugby league at Marsden SHS. “We are moving into the NRLW space in coming seasons, and this school has extraordinary athletes in that space,’’ he said. “We want them thinking Titans.’’
“It is about hard working and earning that right (that the students choose to join the Titans).
Asked about the timing of a formal arrangement with Marsden SHS at a time when a 17th NRL team looms in the south east corner, Mitchell said: “I wouldn’t read too much into that.
“This is about us getting our backyard right and about the future.’’
“We are here to win premierships and we are here to win a number of them over the next decade.
“And in order to do that we need young men and women who are ready to do that.’’
Mitchell said it was also a way to build relationships with the Logan community.
“It is also a population that is exploding and is a community which is extensively part of our community.
“This is a place where we want to have very strong relationships with and Marsden is the first step for us and a natural fit.’’
The Titans also have a similar arrangement with Gold Coast schools PBC SHS and Keebra Park SHS.
Marsden students EJ Finua and Will Semu said training with the likes of David Fifita and Fa’asuamaleaui during the off-season was inspiring.
“It is the next level train with the big boys,’’ Semu said. “It gives us experience to train with NRL stars like David Fifita, Tino, Herman.
Finau added: “It has really lifted our morale for the season and it is a challenge for us as well.’’
Another student Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa said it was great for kids in Logan to have the option of joining the Titans or the Broncos, instead of just the Broncos.
Marsden SHS executive principal Andrew Peach was delighted with the association
“The partnership with the Titans helps to build on the strong relationships we have across the NRL system and we look forward to our students and staff benefiting from our increased work together.
“Our goal is to support the student athletes of Logan to study close to their home, and to be able to access the very best in teaching, facilities and coaching. The partnership with the Titans will only strengthen the opportunities for students and staff at Marsden SHS to be the very best.’’
Marsden SHS will enter 2021 with 328 NRL games experience within its coaching staff.
Australian Jillaroos assistant coach Jamie Feeney (132 games), NRL veteran and Logan product Beale (196 games) and Queensland Cup players Dallas Anderson and Krys Freeman have joined the staff. They will work alongside 2020 staff members Matt Hartigan (2021 Langer Cup head coach), Keeown Rawnsley (former NRL Girls Participation State-wide co-ordinator), ex- NRL half Darren Nicholls and strength and conditioning ace Jacob Stains (son of Origin player Danny) in helping prepare teams for the Langer Cup, Titans Cup, Walters Cup and other Brisbane Broncos sponsored junior league competitions.
Former NRL recruitment ace Brian Edwards is also part of the staff, working with students as a transition officer.
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