Keebra Park partner with the Rabbitohs as Titans connection breaks down

A bold request by school rugby league powerhouse Keebra Park sparked their move from the Titans to rivals Souths Sydney. Go inside discusssions here.

Keebra Park’s three year partnership with the Titans ends as allegiance with the South Sydney Rabbitohs emerge.

Keebra Park State High School had originally formalised a partnership with the Titans in 2020 but have now formed a partnership with South Sydney Rabbitohs, ending the three year deal with the Titans.

Its understood the powerhouse schoolboys rugby league outfit that produced the likes of David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika and Tanah Boyd as well as Broncos Reece Walsh, Payne Haas has chosen not to renew its MOU with Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Titans released a statement on Wednesday after Keebra Park announced they were partnering with the Rabbitohs.

“After ongoing discussions in the past month, the Gold Coast-based school have informed the club they will move in a different direction next year, ceasing a long-standing pathway that has allowed junior players to remain in their home region to pursue a career in the NRL and NRLW.” the statement said.

Keebra Park State High School has ended its partnership with the Titans in favour of signing with a Sydney rival. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“The Titans are committed to the Gold Coast, developing local junior talent and producing pathways that lead to future male and female stars representing our region.

“This includes the continuation of our strong affiliation with National Schoolboy Cup finalists Palm Beach Currumbin State High School alongside Marsden State High School, as well as working relationships with over 32 schools that make up 136 teams participating in the Kinetic Schools League competition – the largest school rugby league competition in Australia.”

Rabbitohs chief operating officer Brock Schaefier said it was a great opportuntity for the club to expand its pathway into Queensland.

“Boys and girls from Keebra Park State High School will have the opportunity to access elite coaching through the Rabbitohs and in turn we will have the chance to have a hand in developing the best young, elite playing and coaching talent in the game,” Schaefier said.

“This exclusive affiliation agreement will enhance the work we’re already doing in this space and will provide benefits at the elite levels in the not-too-distant future.

“We’re very excited about this partnership with Keebra Park State High School, which will be led from our end by Tyrone McCarthy who has extensive experience in building academies as well as Queensland Rugby League.

“We can’t wait to get started (with Keebra Park) as we build into season 2024 and beyond.”

It comes just months after former affiliate Burleigh signed a deal with the Brisbane Broncos.

The partnership between the Titans and Keebra Park included development opportunities for coaching and teaching staff as well as players coming through the pathway.

Currently, five Keebra Park alumni are playing for the Titans, with four other stars playing in the early 90s before the partnership.

Fellow elite Gold Coast school Palm Beach Currumbin State High joined forces with the Titans in 2020 to give the students the best possible pathway to the NRL.

PBC has confirmed they are not leaving the Titans and the pathway will remain between the school and NRL club.

It is understood Keebra Park wanted the Titans to part ways with rival leading schools Marsden High and PBC to sign an exclusivity arrangement.

That was not satisfactory to the Titans, who were hoping to continue a three-way development partnership with Keebra, Marsden and PBC in their quest to snap the Gold Coast’s 16-year premiership drought.

Titans chairman Dennis Watt confirmed the Coast have ceased their affiliation with Keebra Park.

“We are disappointed we were unable to satisfy Keebra Park’s demands around exclusivity as we need to act in the best interests of our entire catchment area,” he said.

“We take the view as a club that we will continue to offer a pathway for young boys and girls seeking to represent their families and communities at the highest level and where possible, we strive to keep families together.

“We proudly boast several Keebra Park alumni who are committed long-term here on the Gold Coast; including the likes of David Fifita, Tanah Boyd, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Chantay Kiria-Ratu, with a number of these former students named to represent their family heritage in the upcoming Pacific Championships.

“We are grateful for the close working relationships we have had over the years with teachers and staff who have always had the best interests of their students, their school, and their community at heart.

“The Keebra Park school community will always be important to us, and we wish them well for the future.”

Under Gold Coast’s deal with Ipswich the Titans will supply players to its Hostplus Cup team.

Ipswich currently have a pathways deal with the Sydney Roosters that includes assistance with player development and it’s understood that will remain, making the Jets one of the only sides to boast an affiliate with two NRL clubs.

New Gold Coast Titans Coach. Titans board member Dennis Watt Picture: Nigel Hallett

Titans chairman Dennis Watt is excited to partner with the QRL club next season.

“The Ipswich region is one of Queensland’s true rugby league nurseries and we are excited to have the Jets on board with us in 2024,” Watt said.

“The region is immersed with talent and is home to several rugby league greats including Alfie Langer, the Walters brothers and even our very own Karyn Murphy and Jim Lenihan, alongside current Titans Phil Sami and Josiah Pahulu – the young gun having captained Ipswich State High School to victory in the National Schoolboy Cup in 2022.

“It’s also important for us to have a number of feeder clubs to allow those not in NRL’s top 17 the opportunity to still be playing regularly, and our new partnership with the Jets alongside our longstanding affiliation with Tweed will allow us to continue our quest to bring success to the Gold Coast.”

Ipswich Jets CEO Richard Hughes said the new agreement with the Titans will help bolster their squad to propel them to a finals berth in 2024.

“We are extremely excited to be partnering with the Titans and have their playing talent strengthen our Hostplus Cup team next season,” Hughes said.

“We are also extremely appreciative of the Sydney Roosters allowing the Gold Coast to complement our current NRL partnership agreement, with the Roosters to continue their work with developing pathways, junior programs and train-and-trial opportunities.

“With the inclusion of Titans-contracted players to bolster our current squad of young and upcoming talent, we feel this is the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle for us to embark on a strong finals campaign in 2024.”