Titan Mat Rogers announces impending retirement
Jetstar Gold Coast Titan Mat Rogers will close the curtain on his glittering 16-year career at the end of the 2010 season, with the 34-year-old today announcing his retirement from the NRL.
The dual-international will retire from football at the conclusion of this year after making the decision to focus on the next chapter in his life in a role with the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans in Sponsorship Sales from 2011.
The father of four will also continue his other business interests including his work for charity 4ASD Kids – an organisation he and wife Chloe Maxwell set up for families of children with Autism.
Rogers, who made his first grade debut for the Cronulla Sharks in 1995, said he was more than comfortable with his decision to close the curtain on his professional footballing career after 194 NRL games and 85 club and representative fixtures in rugby union.
“I'm excited about the next stage in my life,'' said Rogers.
“It's not that I have doubts whether I can compete any more at the highest level, I just think that now is the right time to retire.
“It's been great since returning to rugby league here at the Titans and I'm looking forward to staying involved at the club in a new off-field role.
“I'm sure there's still a few twists and turns left before I retire and I'm really excited about what's in store with the Titans for the rest of the year.''
Jetstar Titans Managing Director Michael Searle said Rogers had been an important part of the establishment of the Titans as a club.
“Mat has played an important part in the development of the profile of club's brand and added to the very fabric of the club. He has made a great contribution in the first four years both on and off the field,'' said Searle.
“He has proven in that time that he has been able to match it with the best in the NRL and that was a very clear objective when we first met in 2006 and this was a major goal he set himself at the time.
“As a club, we are glad to be keeping him on board in an off-field role and I'm confident he will be just as successful off the paddock as he has been on it during his career.''
Jetstar Titans coach John Cartwright said Rogers had been an important contributor as one of the playing group's senior leaders.
“Mat has had a big influence on the club over the past four years, particularly as a leader for the younger players both on and off the field,'' said Cartwright.
“His recent form has been outstanding but there comes a time in every footballer's career where they want to move on and the coaching staff and players are fully supportive of his decision to retire and start the next stage of his life.''
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