The Aquis Gold Coast Titans will boast boots and jerseys on Monday night to celebrate the NRL’s Indigenous Round as a catalyst for a unique fund-raising drive for two worthy causes.
The Titans have more Indigenous players than any other NRL club and at Cbus Super Stadium today Ryan James, Greg Bird, Ash Taylor, Tyrone Roberts, Kierran Moseley and Nathan Davis proudly wore the jerseys and revealed the boots, hand-crafted by local artists, which they will wear in the match against Sydney Roosters.
Our other Indigenous player Josh Hoffman will also wear boots covered with Aboriginal art.
The boots, and every jersey worn by the 17 players, will be put up for auction from Monday to raise money for Deadly Choices, one of the Titans’ community partners, and the Preston Campbell Foundation.
Preston, the creator of the All Stars concept and former Titans player and Dally M Medal winner, actually painted Ryan James’ boots.
“It’s pretty special to have Presto paint mine as everyone knows what a contribution he has made, and continues to make, for the Indigenous community and what he stands for as a person,” said James. “He was a big influence on me early in my career.
“The All Stars game and what we do in the days leading up is a great concept and I love playing in the game.
“But to see the NRL celebrate Indigenous culture with this weekend’s round is also a greatinitiative and as a proud local Indigenous person I think it’s pretty special what our club is doing. Having our boots painted and raising money for Preston’s foundation and Deadly Choices is an extra part of that.”
The jerseys design is the work of local artist Christine Slabb, who was also present at today’s media conference. The boots were designed by Janelle McQueen and Campbell (James’).
The Titans will have several activities on match night at Cbus Super Stadium with chalk art in the stadium precinct, an Indigenous dance performance, a Clontarf Foundation touch football game at half-time and Preston will present the players with their jerseys before the match.
The auction will go live, on the Titans website www.titans.com.au – before the match is completed.
Photo: (l-r) Nathan Davis, Ash Taylor, Tyrone Roberts, Kierran Moseley, Greg Bird, Ryan James model the Titans kit for the Indigenous Round.
