It's a big day at the home ground of the Ballina Seagulls.
My name is Renee Cohen. I'm the community and game development manager of the Gold Coast Titans.
So we have a very exciting announcement today and it's so wonderful to see all of our players in
the front here in their Titans jerseys.
Terry Litton has partnered with FSG, a
government-funded local company that provides services to people with disabilities.
Together, they've inspired the Gold Coast Titans to adopt their team.
Officially, we will be known as the Gold Coast Titans Physical Disability Rugby League Team.
This news is a huge coup. The backing of a national disability service provider will deliver
all the logistics and financial support the team needs and the Titans brand has
made these young men instant celebrities.
But just weeks later, the plan came crashing down.
Terry, Anno wants to ask you what position will he be?
Anno's going to be centre, number three. And you're number four, yep.
Anno Pitt never thought he'd end up playing for the Gold Coast Titans,
even though he's been a huge fan all his life.
One of the Titans legends, Tyrone Roberts, is Anno's close mate.
He's got a signed jersey from Tyrone Roberts.
Ty.
Yep, Ty's in his life all the time so it's good. He really looks up to Anno and
Anno looks up to him and that's one of Anno's idols.
Brother.
Brother and Ty went to school down in Newcastle at the hostel so they've been best mates ever since.
At seven months old Anno was diagnosed with cerebral palsy,
a complication of being born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.
Then, when he was 10, Anno went under the knife for a series of corrective surgeries.
His leg muscles were stretched, wires were inserted to straighten his feet.
There's a plate in his hip and eight plates in his knees.
But it's not stopping him, he's doing everything.
Mowing, go and play golf, he does push-ups, running, yep.
Keep going to training every Wednesday night.
All his life he's liked to play football.
More.
Yeah, all his life. I remembered going to the clubs and just saying,
'Can Anno play?' It was always no and then you look at his
face and it was just really disappointed.
But no one would give him a go, you know?
He can play footy. And then for Terry and him to turn around and fix all this
up for him. It's a big, big deal and someone's
finally given him an opportunity to go and play, fulfill his dreams. This is the
start of his life now. Titans. Yep, Titans and how the Titans have taken them on
board. And I'm proud of him.
Just three weeks after its official launch the team receives a major blow.
The disability service provider FSG will enter voluntary administration.
Offices from Ballina to Harvey Bay would be closed down.
Our major backer, FSG the NDIS provider, is in a bit of trouble and they folded and they're
going into liquidation so things are a bit scary at the moment. I'm not sure
what will happen, I'd hate to think of it that it can't go ahead because there's
too many people relying on me. All the team, all the footballers, all the boys,
their families. I can't do it on my own, no, unless I get help I can't do it.
But today the worry has been put on hold because the boys are to be the special
guests of the Gold Coast Titans at their match against the New Zealand Warriors.
It is the first time Liam Hourigan has ever been to a live game.
Liam is a big Queensland Cowboys fan but has never played rugby league. After a
month of training he thinks he's got what it takes.
The secret I've probably got, is probably my speed.
So I scored three tries Wednesday.
Yep, I left everyone for dead.
My disability is that
I can't really listen properly. I've only got half a brain that's communicating properly
and the other half's not working at all. I've got a really bad brain injury.
Despite his loyalty to the Cowboys, Liam can't wait to play his first game for the Titans.
To actually play the first game's going to be amazing. I'm going to love
playing my first game. Like, I just can't wait to get the jersey on
and represent the Titans with as much pride as we can.
If you lose, at least we get a good score, maybe 20 points on debut, I'll be happy.
So we can get a try in our first match, we hope.
We're nearly there so remember who you represent. You're representing your
families and the Titans, so be on your best behavior.
The Gold Coast Titans have big plans for their physical disability team today.
Terry gets a pre-match spot in the stadium's big screen.
Our team are to be the guard of honor of the Titans as they run out to face the Warriors.
And Anno, who celebrated his 20th birthday this week, gets the best present ever.
The Titans are not the favourite for this match. They're on a three-game losing slide.
But today, their form is looking good.
Their physical disability team might just be the inspiration they need.
The Titans go on to have their biggest win of the season,
beating the Warriors 36 to 20.
Probably going to the Titans, Warriors match was the best time I've had.
And meeting some of the players at the end of the game was amazing. I had the time of my life.
Next episode, we meet a man who was a champion bodybuilder until the day a
taxi hit his motorcycle, head-on. We meet a new teammate, Warrior, who finds his
groove on and off the field. And we join Terry on his ongoing mission
to get his team a real game.