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Jetstar Gold Coast Titans veteran Mat Rogers will return to where it all began this weekend as part of Gold Coast District Junior Rugby League Sign-On Day. Rogers, who played his junior rugby league with the Nerang Roosters from the age of 10, will return to his former stomping ground to help spread the rugby league gospel to aspiring local juniors.
The 33-year-old is just one of 35 Jetstar Titans players who will be out in force over the weekend to assist with the junior sign-on blitz, with the Titans to have a presence at every junior rugby league club over the weekend.
“I remember what it was like to pull on the boots for the first time and play for the Nerang Roosters,’’ reflected Rogers.
“Rugby league is a great way to keep active and meet new friends. Also, you never know where it might take you.
“I dreamt that one day I’d make it as a professional footballer and here I am now as one of the oldies running around in the NRL.’’
Rogers won’t be the only player returning to where his career began, with two of the Titans’ NYC under-20s players also re-visiting their roots – Jamie Dowling (Burleigh) and Bryce Currell (Southport).
As an added attraction at the Nerang Roosters Sign-On Day, there will also be a display of hot rods.
All Titans players attending the junior sign on days won’t be content with just signing autographs either, they will be cooking BBQs, playing in jumping castles and helping to run skills clinics.
GCDJRL Operations Manager Gary Phillips said it was great to have the Titans on board to help attract youngsters to play rugby league.
“We’ve got 4500 juniors and we’re looking to get 5000 playing for the 2009 season,’’ said Phillips.
“We’ve introduced a five-year-old and six-year-old program to enable kids of all ages to enjoy rugby league.
“All the Titans players will be out in force over the weekend so it’s a great chance to meet them and talk about playing rugby league.’’
Jetstar Titans players will be making appearances at all GCDJRL clubs at the following times on Saturday. |