Johnathan Thurston, who led the Indigenous All Stars to a stunning victory to unofficially open the season, won the 2012 Ken Stephen Medal for his inspiring work with Indigenous communities and who is one of the masterminds of Queensland’s record-breaking Origin series run, will launch the 2013 Telstra Premiership season on behalf of the game’s players on Wednesday night.
Thurston, the Cowboys co-captain and a key figure in the Holden Kangaroos’ quest for World Cup glory later this year, said he was honoured to be involved in the Telstra Premiership season launch, where he will share the stage with Cowboys fan and the voice of Rugby League’s new anthem, Jessica Mauboy.
Thurston steps into the season launch role with Bulldogs fullback Ben Barba now unavailable.
“There is incredible excitement building ahead of the start of the Telstra Premiership season,” says NRL General Manager, Marketing and Commercial, Mr Paul Kind.
“JT is one of the stars of our game and as a leading player for the Indigenous All Stars, Cowboys, the Maroons and the Holden Kangaroos, he represents the ‘whole-of-game’ theme of this year’s campaign.
“We are delighted he has accepted the honour of launching the season on behalf of the players.”
