Titans and Preston Campbell Foundation strengthen partnership

The Gold Coast Titans NRL club and the Preston Campbell Foundation have formalised their long-standing relationship with a new memorandum of understanding, reinforcing a shared commitment to creating opportunities for young Indigenous people.

The MOU – which runs until June 30 next year – recognises a partnership that has been built over many years through Indigenous youth programs, mentoring, education and employment pathways.

At the heart of that collaboration has been Deadly Futures, a program that has brought the Titans and PCF together to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through mentoring, cultural connection, leadership development, education and employment opportunities.

By connecting students with trusted mentors, workplaces and practical experiences, Deadly Futures has helped young people build confidence, strengthen their connection to culture and explore their aspirations beyond school.

Importantly, the relationships created through the program have extended well beyond its completion, with the Titans and PCF continuing to support many participants as they transition into further education, employment and adult life.

Campbell has remained closely connected with the Titans through the club’s Indigenous and community initiatives, while continuing his lifelong commitment to supporting young people through the Preston Campbell Foundation.

Preston Campbell plays the Didgeridoo prior to the match between the Indigenous All Stars and the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. (AAP Photo)

Campbell said the formal agreement acknowledged a partnership built on shared values and a genuine desire to support the next generation.

“The Preston Campbell Foundation began from getting the chance to work with the community arm of the Titans after hanging up the boots. It’s been a new journey for myself and something I never thought I’d connect so much to,” he said.

“Coming from community, it’s allowed me think about the mentors and the people who afforded me the opportunities to have what I have. It’s a real blessing to now give the same opportunities that I had to others.

“It’s been a shared responsibility to build relationships and create change and formalising this partnership gives us a great platform to continue building on that work and creating even more opportunities for our young people in the years ahead.”

Titans chairman Dennis Watt said the MOU reflected the strength of a relationship that had already delivered meaningful outcomes in the community and is proud to help support the Preston Campbell Foundation with this week’s 50-50 Charity Raffle.

Preston Campbell plays his last game for the Titans in 2011. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Charles Knight)

“Preston is a selfless leader who has devoted much of his life to developing young leaders in the Indigenous community,” he said.

“He empowers them with a sense of pride of their culture and encourages them to aim high, seek opportunities for further study and be leaders in whichever career field they choose.

“There’s a great opportunity for our community to contribute to helping continue the great work of the Preston Campbell Foundation at this Friday’s game and encourage everyone – both Titans and Bulldogs fans – to dig deep to continue the great work of Preston and his foundation.”