NRL : Jetstar Titans re-sign young flyer Gordon

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans have secured a pre-season coup after re-signing emerging talent Kevin Gordon for the next three seasons.

The 18-year-old from Coffs Harbour, who was one of the stars for the Titans’ NYC side in this year’s Toyota Cup, has agreed to re-sign with the club until the end of the 2011 season. In an outstanding debut year for the Titans’ NYC outfit, Gordon scored 21 tries in as many appearances – showcasing his athleticism and raw speed.

Significantly, his 21 tries accounted for more than half of the tries scored by the Titans’ NYC side throughout the year. Gordon was later named in the Toyota Cup Team of the Year and was also judged the Titans’ NYC Players’ Player. As well as showing his smarts on the field, Gordon is also studying Multimedia at Griffith University. The continuation of his studies is part of his contract extension with the Jetstar Titans.

“It’s great to be able to lock-in one of our promising under-20s players to a long term arrangement that’ll hopefully see him remain with the club well into the future,’’ said Jetstar Titans managing director Michael Searle. “Kevie will be training with our full-time squad whilst he is having a break from University. We’d expect that he’ll push for a first grade spot in 2009 and certainly put some pressure on some of the centres and wingers at the club given his performances last year. The club will continue to fund his studies at Griffith University through our scholarship program which is great because at the end of this contract he will come out with a degree.’’

Gordon said he was thrilled to extend his contract with the club, adding that being happy on and off the field were major factors behind his decision to remain in Titans colours. ”I want to stay up here. It’s more like back home than Sydney and it’s a good area to live.’’

While Gordon has first grade in his sights, the quietly-spoken youngster said he was happy to bide his time in the lower grades until he gets his chance. “I was lucky to get into the under-20s side so I’m happy about that and haven’t thought too much about first grade yet,’’ he said.