http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...n/news-story/81f1505da3ed0e82a9ebdf2a0437e6b5
Jarryd Hayne to quit the Titans: Desire to remain close to daughter behind Hayne speculation
Peter Badel and Matt Logue, The Courier-Mail
November 2, 2017 7:03pm
THE man who funded Jarryd Hayne’s signing with the Gold Coast has revealed the personal family struggle that could see him lost to the Titans.
Norm Black, whose company TripADeal bankrolled a $400,000 sponsorship to deliver Hayne to the glitter strip, says the NSW Origin ace is concerned about losing contact with his 11-month-old daughter Beliviah.
It is understood the child’s mother, Amellia Bonnici, is considering a move to Sydney to be closer to her parents, prompting Hayne to consider his future on the Gold Coast.
Hayne has been looking to buy a home at Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast, with Black making some offers on his behalf,
suggesting the Titans fullback had no plans to quit the club.
Black is now considered a close personal friend of Hayne and remains hopeful he will honour his $1.2 million deal in 2018.
“I spoke to Jarryd two days ago and at no stage did he mention wanting out of the Titans,” he said. “He does have some personal issues which he is trying to sort through.
“There is a possibility his child could live in Sydney. The mother’s family is down south and she is looking for some more support from her family, so that is an issue for Jarryd.
“He is a great father and doesn’t want to be away from his child.
“The Titans signed Hayden Knowles and Craig Catterick (Hayne’s former conditioners at Parramatta) to help work with Jarryd, so I’d be stunned if he left.”
Knowles — who has joined the Titans on a $300,000 deal — says Hayne has confided in him about his personal family dilemma.
The highly-rated Knowles played a key role in the fitness regimen at Parramatta that saw Hayne win the 2009 Dally M Medal and was keen to reunite with him at the Titans, but this could now change.
Knowles would love to work alongside Hayne, but says he fully respects if he puts family before football.
“I have spoken to Jarryd about his family issue and his baby and he has been rattled about it,” Knowles said.
“I do know that he has some issues with his baby. I’m not aware if he is going to move clubs, but I do know there have been a few issues.
“She (his partner) moved home with the baby. It will be a shame if I go up there and he isn’t there, but he has got to do what is right.
“Hopefully for the Titans he is still there, but if he needs to sort things out with his baby and I know what I’d be advising and you’ve got to do what is best with that.”
Black revealed his personal sponsorship with Hayne ends this week, meaning the Titans must carry his entire $1.2m deal on the salary cap next season.
“We’re not paying for him for the 2018 season,” he said. “Our commitment was to bring him to the Gold Coast but we have no financial commitment to Jarryd next season, so his contract value is on the Titans’ books.”