I just wanted to start a more positive thread to state the obvious and say how good Lote is for the Wests Tigers and the NRL both on and off the field.
My young 8y.o cousin was a fanatical Bulldogs supporter, but was invited to attend a Wests Tigers training session at Concord a few months back and was blown away by how friendly all the players were. Benji was also great, but Lote more than anyone else made a special effort to ask about his school, how his weekend footy team is going etc. My cousin has since converted and is now a Wests Tigers supporter through and through.
Since then Lote also attended my sons school and again all the kids came away with the highest regard for Lote, not just his footballing ability, but again because he went out of his way to have a chat with almost every single one of them and answered any questions which were thrown at him.
Then about 6 weeks ago at Birchgrove Oval, my sons team was playing the game after Lote`s son, Lote again was only too happy to have a chat with the kids and pay them plenty of attention despite the fact he was trying to watch his own son play.
This was repeated again yesterday at King George Park, my sons team was again playing the game after Lote`s son. My son had three mates who had a sleepover the night before all of whom don`t play League themselves, but idolise Lote through watching him play. They were starstruck and wanted to go and speak with him. I advised it`s not a good time as he is trying to watch his son play, but kids being kids couldn`t wait, so I approached Lote and just asked if the kids could shake his hand. Lote was not only too pleased to shake their hands, but again had an in depth conversation with them about their school and was genuinely happy to know they remembered him from when he visited their school.
These kids couldn`t believe that a footy player they idolise is so down to earth and easy to talk with. They now have not only switched to becoming Wests Tigers supporters, but also want to play rugby league instead of soccer all just because someone such as Lote is prepared to give them a little bit of his time.
My young 8y.o cousin was a fanatical Bulldogs supporter, but was invited to attend a Wests Tigers training session at Concord a few months back and was blown away by how friendly all the players were. Benji was also great, but Lote more than anyone else made a special effort to ask about his school, how his weekend footy team is going etc. My cousin has since converted and is now a Wests Tigers supporter through and through.
Since then Lote also attended my sons school and again all the kids came away with the highest regard for Lote, not just his footballing ability, but again because he went out of his way to have a chat with almost every single one of them and answered any questions which were thrown at him.
Then about 6 weeks ago at Birchgrove Oval, my sons team was playing the game after Lote`s son, Lote again was only too happy to have a chat with the kids and pay them plenty of attention despite the fact he was trying to watch his own son play.
This was repeated again yesterday at King George Park, my sons team was again playing the game after Lote`s son. My son had three mates who had a sleepover the night before all of whom don`t play League themselves, but idolise Lote through watching him play. They were starstruck and wanted to go and speak with him. I advised it`s not a good time as he is trying to watch his son play, but kids being kids couldn`t wait, so I approached Lote and just asked if the kids could shake his hand. Lote was not only too pleased to shake their hands, but again had an in depth conversation with them about their school and was genuinely happy to know they remembered him from when he visited their school.
These kids couldn`t believe that a footy player they idolise is so down to earth and easy to talk with. They now have not only switched to becoming Wests Tigers supporters, but also want to play rugby league instead of soccer all just because someone such as Lote is prepared to give them a little bit of his time.
