Frizelle in it to win it
It’s been a dramatic season of upheaval at the Titans. Brent Read chats to co-owner Bec Frizelle about the club’s road ahead.
THE coach search is over. Are you comfortable with the way it was handled?
It was always going to be a considered process. Like all employment searches this was a confidential process to protect the candidates that we were speaking to. Despite the broader commentary, we were very clear on those we were focusing on. Justin (Holbrook) has a very impressive CV and his results speak for themselves.
The Titans were really poor in recent weeks. Why should fans keep the faith?
Of course we are very disappointed with last weekend – it’s certainly not good enough. Everyone at our club is working as hard as they possibly can to turn our on-field results around. Success takes time and we would ask our fans and members to remain loyal because they will be rewarded.
How committed are you to the club and the Gold Coast?
Totally committed. Both to the Titans and the Gold Coast/ Northern NSW community – every single person within our club from the chairman down is passionately committed to the club’s success. We are investing over $1.2 million in the development of junior rugby league players – this hasn’t been done previously.
What’s the reply to the critics calling for club to move?
The critics generally have no understanding of what is going on internally to rebuild this club. Their commentary is all based around a superficial view of our on-field results as this point in time. While initial onfield results have been disappointing, there has been great progress made in building an enduring financial model.
Why hasn’t the Gold Coast been able to work and what gives you faith it will?
We have a growing population, the sixth largest city in the country, one of the game’s largest junior nurseries and we have produced countless NRL players that are playing in teams right throughout the game. People that think the Coast is a transient city and incapable of sustaining a national team, don’t have any real understanding of our region.
Do the players need to take more responsibility of what has happened this season?
Yes. Like all members of a team they have their part to play and unfortunately this year has not delivered what we expected. The players know that and they are all on notice under our new coach, Justin Holbrook.
How difficult was it to ask Garth Brennan to leave?
The situation surrounding Garth was difficult for all parties. At the end of the day we are a results-driven business and Garth understood that more than anyone. He is a decent man and we wish him success for the future.