Meet behind-the-scenes player putting heart into Gold Coast Titans

She’s pioneered programs in game skills and participation, indigenous culture and education, and physical and intellectual disability inclusion. No wonder our ‘Champions of Sport’ winner has been dubbed the ‘Queen of Hearts’.

Champions of Sport winner Renee Cohen. Picture: Kit Wise.

CHAMPIONS of Sport winner Renee Cohen personifies the power of sport to connect and uplift a community.

Dubbed the club’s Queen of Hearts by executive chairman Dennis Watt, the Gold Coast Titans general manager community and game development has pioneered programs in game skills and participation, indigenous culture and education, and physical and intellectual disability inclusion.

“That’s one of my biggest things,” Renee says.

“I want to make sure everybody feels like they can play rugby league.

Renee Cohen says she wants to make sure everybody can play ruby league.” Picture: Kit Wise.

“It’s such an important part of our society, of making people feel connected

“No matter your disability or what your background is, there’s a form of the game you can play.”

Renee has been with the Titans since the club’s foundation in 2007, when she joined as a development officer, and counts her work with social inclusion as the most personally rewarding.

“We have worked with Down Syndrome Association Queensland for close to six years and at that stage there weren’t many programs sporting codes were running for people with disabilities,” she says.

“Their thinking is that they’re more alike than different, so we wanted to make them feel like they were a part of our family, part of what the Titans do.

ENTREPRENEURS WINNER: ‘YOU NEED TO BE PASSIONATE TO THE CORE’

“The best way we thought we could do that was have them run out with the players at our main game of the season, which was Titans v. Broncos.

“The Broncos got behind it with kids from Brisbane as well, so there were 13 kids with Down syndrome that ran out with each team at that Friday night game six years ago.”

The players’ smiles were only just outdone by the giant grins sported by their excited sidekicks.

“It was really special,” Renee remembers.

She describes her role as “just recognising people that are in need, being able to provide them with support and making them feel like they’re part of the Titans family”.

“This community has supported us through the toughest times,” Renee says.

“The club has had its fair share of ups and downs but they’ve stuck by us and that’s why we’re still here, so my role is to make sure the community knows we recognise that.

“I’m lucky to do what I do.”