WORK NEVER ENDS FOR TIRELESS TITAN
RYAN James has backed up his win of the Titans’ prestigious Preston Campbell award by taking out the NRL’s Ken Stephen Medal for his outstanding work in the community.
The Gold Coast captain was nominated fellow finalists Darius Boyd (Broncos), Sam Williams (Raiders) and Joel Thompson (Sea-Eagles), with judges praising his constant efforts to give back to the community through work in the indigenous community, with the Starlight Foundation, the general Gold Coast community and his junior club and school at Bilambil.
Titans CEO Graham Annesley said the Titans had no hesitation in putting Ryan forward for the honour.
“Ryan has been with this club since he was 16 years of age and has not only grown into a leader on the field, as captain of our club, but also a leader off the field, who does so much in and around his local community,” Annesley said.
“This award is a fantastic achievement for Ryan and the entire club is incredibly proud of him and the work that he carries out.”
James has taken after his mentor Campbell in terms of community work and is involved in the Titans’ Deadly Futures Program and NAIDOC Week activities, as well as playing an active role in the club’s Reconciliation Action Plan working group.
James is both an ambassador and life member of his boyhood club, the Bilambil Jets, making regular visits back to the club and recently sponsoring their Indigenous Round jerseys.
And his efforts have won the admiration of Campbell, who praised the role he now plays in the community.
“I think he’s a very fierce competitor as we see on the field every week, Ryan leads from the front,” Campbell said.
“I think he’s become a fan favourite on the field but I think he’s starting to become a community favourite as well.
“We see Ryan out doing a lot of stuff in community and he’s a great ambassador for the game and he’s just a great example for what professional athletes can do.”