Titan’s utility Chris McQueen will show just how versatile he is when he swaps his Titans’ jersey for a volunteer T-shirt this summer as he relishes his new role as an AWLQ Ambassador.
“I have always had a real connection with animals,” Chris said.
“When the opportunity came up to work with AWLQ, I jumped at the chance.
“I’m committed to helping these animals find homes, and building awareness of just how special a shelter pet can be.”
The Kingaroy boy has been around dogs ‘since I can remember’, and has a special love of Staffys. He has two, Thor and Monster.
Chris chose to become an AWLQ Ambassador after seeing the charity’s consistent care, and ethical approach to animals and the rehoming process.
He believes in the concept that abandoned and surrendered animals deserve a second chance at life and says you cannot underestimate the love of a dog.
“There are times when I come home, especially after a difficult loss or training and the dogs, they can sense that,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what’s happening dogs love you anyway. I pull up to the house and I can see the dogs standing at the front door.
“It’s hard not to be happy.”
Chris is now focussed on finals’ footy, with a first round elimination final against arch rivals, and neighbours, the Brisbane Broncos.
The Titans scraped through on the back of a Tigers’ loss and now face the fifth placed Broncos.
“Playing the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium is the nearest thing to a home game for us,” Chris said.
“Friday night should be a sell-out and we go in as underdogs!
“No pun intended,” he laughs.
Chris McQueen biography
Chris McQueen is a professional Rugby League player who grew up in the country Queensland town of Kingaroy. He spent his junior years playing for the Kingaroy Red Ants, before playing in the NRL, and developed his love of animals, particularly dogs, from an early age.
The versatile footballer began his professional career in 2006 when he joined the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Brisbane. In 2008 he signed a two year contract with South Sydney Rabbitohs, making his NRL debut in 2009 in Round 22 against Manly Sea Eagles.
Playing on the wing, he scored a try on debut for the winning side. McQueen etched his name into the game’s history as part of the 2014 Grand Final winning Rabbitohs’ side, ending a 43-year Premiership drought.
Since 2009 Chris has played in excess of 140 First Grade games. He represented the Queensland Maroons in the 2013 and 2014 State of Origin series and has a 2015 World Club Challenge win, again with Souths, to his name. He’s now with the Gold Coast Titans
