Hey David
YOUR MUM SHOULD BE HERE
THE council is being urged to make Bronco David Fifita an honorary Gold Coast Ambassador and give him the keys to the city, in a lastminute bid to secure the star forward’s National Rugby League signature with the Titans.
Coast tourism and marketing identity Richard Holliday wants city leaders to offer Fifita and his mother a helicopter tour of the Glitter Strip to show off its best assets.
Fifita is expected to make a decision early this week on whether to accept a $1.25 million offer from the Titans for next season or sacrifice $550,000 by re-signing with the Broncos.
The former Keebra Park player has told the Broncos that it was his life’s ambition to buy a house for his mum, Gwen.
In an open letter to Fifita, Mr Holliday wrote: “Not many 20-year-olds have the opportunity to make a lifechanging decision and I can’t imagine the thoughts running through your mind and the love you have for your mother and the love she has for her son.
“You have the ability to determine your destiny and career path and if we look at a young Malcolm (Mal) Meninga who signed with Southern Suburbs (Souths) Brisbane as an 18-year-old in 1979 ... there is a parallel.
“Souths had not won any silverware since 1953 and a few years after Mal joined, Souths won the Brisbane premiership in 1981 defeating Redcliffe.”
Mr Holliday said the Broncos leadership team had failed to address their team’s poor onfield performances, and its management was consumed by the fear of losing Fifita after the Titans had pledged a much better, longer deal worth $500,000 more to the young star.
Titans fans are divided, speculating whether the young representative player’s only motive for signing with the Coast will be the bigger pay cheque, but Mr Holliday predicts the outcome can be a winner for both fans and the player.
“At the Gold Coast Titans you can define your own history,” he said.
“If I were Mayor of the city I’d not only give you the keys to the city, I’d come and pick you and your mum up and bring you down to the Gold Coast. I’d make you an honorary Gold Coast Ambassador, I’d be at every game and have your mobile on
speed dial should you need anything while settling into our relaxed, friendly lifestyle.”