Titans share smiles at Mudgeeraba Special School

by NRL

Titans trio Mark Minichiello, Beau Champion and Dominique Peyroux gave up their spare time to share some laughs and get active with students at the Mudgeeraba Special School.

While the majority of the Titans playing squad has been given the first half of this week off from training ahead of this weekend's Round 11 bye, the Jetstar Titans trio joined students for some rugby league based activities and interaction.

The players helped the students take part in some coaching drills before speaking to the students about the benefits of a healthy diet and answering questions about rugby league.

While the experience was clearly an enjoyable one for the students, Minichiello said the visit was just as rewarding for the players.

"We came out to Mudgeeraba Special School to say g'day to the kids and hopefully put a smile on their face,'' said Minichiello.

"We were teaching them a few skills about rugby league and getting them running around a little bit.

"It certainly puts things into perspective to come here and see how they are affected by one thing or another but they are always smiling and having fun so it definitely makes you feel very grateful for our life.''

Champion said there were plenty of Titans supporters amongst the group ? including fanatical fan Jade Elliott, who was recently a special guest at a Titans training session after she wrote personalised messages to the majority of the players.

"It's great to get down here because the kids are so energetic and so full of life. It's great for the kids, they get out and get active and I know a lot of the young kids are Titans supporters as well so it works both ways which is fantastic,'' said Champion.

The majority of the Titans playing squad have been given several days off from training over the first half of this week before they return to regularly duties on Thursday.

The club is busily preparing for Saturday night's seventh annual Charity Ball at Jupiters Hotel & Casino, with proceeds going to the Sporting Wheelies & Disabled Association of Queensland, The Salvation Army, Titans 4 Tomorrow and the Gold Coast Titans Community Foundation.

Long-term supporters of the club's annual Charity Ball, Audi Centre Gold Coast, are once again supplying the night's Grand State Auction item, by kindly donating the recently released Audi Q3 valued at $56,700.

It is hoped that more than $100,000 will be raised from this year's event, after the club has raised more than $1 Million from previous Charity Balls and other community fundraising programs over the past six years.

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