Financially troubled Toronto Wolfpack set up GoFundMe account to help players, staff

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josie andrews
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Financially troubled Toronto Wolfpack set up GoFundMe account to help players, staff

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TORONTO - The financially troubled Toronto Wolfpack, a rugby league franchise without a home, have started a GoFundMe campaign to help players and staff who have not been paid since June 10.

The transatlantic team, which has 50 full-time employees in Canada and the United Kingdom, stood down July 20, saying it could not afford to play the remainder of the Super League season.

That hiatus turned into a seemingly permanent dead end Nov. 2 when the remaining 11 Super League clubs and the sport’s two governing bodies — the Rugby Football League and Super League — voted 8-4 with one abstention to reject the Wolfpack’s bid for reinstatement in 2021 under potential new owner Carlo LiVolsi.

Martin Vickers, the Wolfpack’s U.K. general manager, says the goal of the GoFundMe campaign is to raise 30,000 pounds ($51,775) which will be split evenly among all the staff and players.

That roughly works out to about $1,000 per person if the target is reached. Not exactly a safety net but a helping hand around Christmas.

The idea for the campaign came from Vickers, coach Brian McDermott, chairman/CEO Bob Hunter and veteran player Jon Wilkin.

“There hasn’t been any dialogue whatsoever with Super League since the decision,” Vickers said Monday from England. “So it’s a case of ‘That’s the end of your club. You guys are all unemployed. You go find your own way.’

“Whilst ultimately (majority owner) David Argyle is responsible for these bills … We just felt hang on, it’s appropriate at this time that we just do something ourselves.”

The only assistance that Super League and RFL have provided was a one-time “hardship” payment of 30,000 pounds that was split among the players, said Vickers.

That has led to “”some difficult times“ for some employees, he added.

The only assistance that Super League and RFL have provided was a one-time “hardship” payment of 30,000 pounds that was split among the players, said Vickers.

That has led to “”some difficult times“ for some employees, he added.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/2020/11/ ... ff.html?rf
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
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