Titans Indigenous Jersey Portrays Story of Unity

Titans Indigenous Jersey Portrays Story of Unity

The Titans as a rugby league club have always had a deep connection with their community that has extended beyond the standard fan-club relationship and this jersey and the notion of family builds on this.

The design is a collaboration between all of the Titans' Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander players and was brought to life by local artist Ashleigh Banks - a proud Wiradjuyri woman.

"The artwork I have created represents the players as they walk proudly (footprints) onto the field for each and every Titans game, carrying their culture on their backs.” Banks said.

“The mixture of blues in this painting and stingrays represents the Torres Strait Islander players, and the sandy tones and emu's representing the Aboriginal players with them both coming together in the middle to represent the Titans as one."

Banks is a graduate of the NRL and Titans 'School to Work' program and a former Mabel Park State High School student.

The consultative process of working with existing players and a Titans program participant is also a pillar of the Gold Coast Titans 'Stretch RAP.' 

The Titans boast one of the highest representations of Indigenous players within the NRL, including Captain Jamal Fogarty, representative players David Fifita and Tyrone Peachey, as well as Brian Kelly, Ash Taylor, Corey Thompson, Jayden Campbell and Jonus Pearson, who have all had input in the final product.

The story of the artwork draws inspiration from the themes of family and coming together.

"The artwork that I have created represents the players not just coming together as Torres Straight Island and Aboriginal players but as a family, they walk proudly onto the field each and every game carrying their culture on their backs," Banks said.

"The mixture of blues in this painting represent the Torres Straight Island players and the sandy tones represent Aboriginal players, with both coming together to represent the Titans as one."

The Titans will proudly wear the jersey in the NRL's Round 12 Indigenous Round when they take on the Cronulla Sharks in Coffs Harbour and once again at home, Cbus Super Stadium, when they take on the Manly Sea Eagles in Round 15.