Dear Editor, Regarding your article in Tuesday, March 28 edition – Titikaveka Bulldogs coach steps down, I can confirm that Mr (Meti) Noovao has surprised the whole club including myself, he didn’t have the decency to advise me that he was to step down, yet he lives two houses away from me.

Mr Noovao cites his achievements very well, but I can categorically inform the public, such achievements has never been evidenced in our current season. I introduced and named Mr Noovao as coach of the Club with much applause from ‘the boys’ at the time, but he turned out to be a very passive coach when given the charge. Emerging in the ranks and stepping up as an ‘active assistant’ was youngster Tave Tereapii who really waxed to be gaining the confidence and support of the boys.

So, what really happened? Mr Noovao took much offence when in the aftermath team talk of the game against the Sea Eagles of round two, one senior player shot him down for using profane and foul language for the way the game was played. The language could be audible by our opposition team and their supporters, this is when I questioned the ethics and conduct of the national rep.  As it is, I do thank him for his passive contribution, but abandoning the ship while it is sailing very well, I have had to endorse our active assistant coach in Mr Tave Tereapii to be our real Coach and should Tave be available, I am most certain our boys will have Tave highly supported to be our Head Coach for season 2024. 

I do however reach out to Mr Noovao to take up his offer to ‘be available to help next season’ but in a varying position of either 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd officer.  As Captain of the Bulldogs Ship, I say, we are a very proud and strong team and training hardest in the downpour rain in good numbers and Mr Editor, as your headline says ‘the winless Titikaveka Bulldogs’ will always be the fearless Bulldogs in competing and completing the Rugby League Season of 2023 and come back strongest in Season 2024, even with ‘a man over-board’.

Sincerely,

Anthony Brown

President

Titikaveka Bulldogs