Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Pat McLeod, GC Bulletin - `Welcome to my jungle'. That was the call to arms from Titans supremo Scott Prince for fans to rally behind the club in their opening salvo against the Knights on Sunday week. "We are a young club but already we have a passionate fan base," said Prince at last night's club launch at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

"But we need those fans now more than any time in the past two seasons. Our aim is to create history and be a part of September football.

"For that to fall into place we need to start with a bang, and that means a big performance against the Knights in Round 1.

"Until we were smashed by injuries last year we had a home record at Skilled that was the envy of every team in the league (seven wins from the opening seven home games) and that was largely because of the fanatical fan base we have on the Coast.

"We need them again."

The Titans home crowd aggregate last year (259,421) was second only to the Broncos (401,108) but every club in the league is concerned about what effect the global financial crisis will have on attendances in 2009.

"We know there are a lot of people out there hurting financially," said Titans general manager of operations and media Ian Buchanan.

"We have tried to structure our pricing this year to help fans out, but across the board there has been reduced memberships.

"I know we have not been hit as hard as some other clubs but we are tracking below where we were last year. At the moment we are heading towards a first-up home crowd for the Knights of about 18,000, but we hope sales will pick up next week."

The Gold Coast opened 2008 with a sellout crowd and a win against the Cowboys, which was the first game staged at Skilled.

Prince said fans can't under-estimate how crucial they are to the Titans success this year.

"Skilled is an amazing stadium and when it is packed it has a real State of Origin feel to it," he said. "I know the boys get a real lift when they come out there. When you hear the Welcome to the Jungle anthem belt out you can't help but be in your best frame of mind."

Titans managing director Michael Searle reminded club faithful of 'the journey' at last night's launch.

"On March 15 when we play Newcastle it will be 10 years to the day since (club chairman) Paul Broughton and I met with community leaders in Southport to rally support for an NRL licence," he said.

"Tonight is a reminder of how important community is to this club. We have not faked our existence, we have had to work hard to get where we are."

Searle also emphasised how important crowd support is.

"Big crowds, that is what the boys thrive off," he said. "Sometimes we take for granted the existence of our footy team. People need to understand how important atmosphere is.

"I know the people of the Gold Coast are not fair weather followers. They've been with us from the first trial games that made the NRL realise we deserved a team here."