Troubled Crusaders make plea for help

[josie andrews]

Crusaders RL chief executive Rod Findlay has issued a passionate plea to the rest of Engage Super League to find jobs for players and support staff from his club following their shock withdrawal from the competition.

Most of the players at the Wrexham-based outfit are facing an uncertain future following the decision of the club owners to pull the plug after just two seasons at the Racecourse Ground.

Those include forward Shannan McPherson and centre Keith Senior, who had agreed to join them from South Sydney and Leeds Rhinos respectively.

Half-back Jarrod Sammut has already secured a move to Bradford Bulls, while forward Hep Cahill has been signed by Super League newcomers Widnes Vikings and captain Clinton Schifcofske is retiring.

The Rugby Football League acted quickly to assist the club in ensuring the staff were all paid on time and also offered overseas player and club trained dispensations to those displaced.

But Findlay, a former in-house lawyer for the RFL, wants to find new jobs for the rest of his staff.

“Rugby league rightly prides itself in being a family sport and I hope that other clubs are able to offer a lifeline to the players, coaching staff and off-field staff,” he said.

“I appreciate that every other club has its budgets to work within but I would hope they would consider the Crusaders players and staff first when looking to recruit.

“Crusaders have a really strong team - on and off the pitch - and it would be a shame to lose them from the sport. In a recession, jobs in other industries are limited.

“As a family sport, we have a moral obligation to minimise the human impact of the licensing decision. We should only look at bringing in new players once those expecting to play for Crusaders in 2012 have found a new home.

“If a club is looking to recruit a prop, assistant coach, physiotherapist or marketing staff, for example, I hope they think of the Crusaders staff first.

“I would vouch for all of them and I’ve already tried to help some players and staff.”

Crusaders’ demoralised players roused themselves to secure a stunning 40-4 victory at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats yesterday, and Findlay says ticket sales for the club’s final home game against Hull FC, which has been moved to Sunday, August 21, will go towards paying wages.

http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23 ... e-plea-for

[josie andrews]

RFL grant dispensation for Crusaders players

In respect of Crusaders decision to withdraw their Super League Licence application for the 2012-2014 seasons, the RFL have today granted special dispensation in order to reduce the adverse impact on the players of Crusaders, who were facing an uncertain future after their contracts were terminated.

Due to the dispensation in place, in total there are 13 players (Non-Federation Trained and overseas quota players) from Crusaders who have been displaced. This is a unique set of circumstances, as clubs other than Crusaders have a more limited number of Non-Federation and Quota players.

The RFL have agreed the following:

• Federation Trained dispensation is granted to the displaced Non-Federation Trained Crusaders players.

• Any club that signs one or more of the players be granted an exemption on their quota.

• In both cases the dispensation or exemption is granted for the length of the contract signed by player and club.

In addition, there are a number of players, who have obtained Club Trained (CT) or Club Trained Whilst There (CTWT) status with Crusaders. Due to their age, none of them will have the opportunity to achieve CT or CTWT status with another member club.

With this in mind, the RFL have agreed the following:

• Those players that were CT or CTWT are granted CTWT status for the duration of their next contract with a Super League club.

“Protecting player welfare is of paramount importance to us,” said RFL’s Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer.

“In being able to act quickly with this special dispensation ruling, we are giving those Crusaders players that have been affected by the club’s decision to withdraw their Super League Licence application every opportunity to find a new club from the start of the 2012 season. We have been able to do this by working alongside the RLPA and also Crusaders CEO, Rod Findlay, and we would like to thank them for their help in this matter.” he added.

http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23 ... -crusaders

[gpartin]

The problem is gonna be a salary cap one now they've sorted the quota out.

[Kittwazzer]

Surely its no different to all the players being out of contract? Season ends next month in any case!

[gpartin]

Surely its no different to all the players being out of contract? Season ends next month in any case!

No because they would have had time to think of finding another club at a time when contracts won't have been sorted out for next year. They are helping the ageing aussies but showing no concern for the British players there who possibly won't be able to find a club willing or able to pay them a decent wage. Nice one RFL

[Kittwazzer]

Good point Gaz. But it also says something of the overall calibre of the players we have in a 14 team Super League!

[gpartin]

Good point Gaz. But it also says something of the overall calibre of the players we have in a 14 team Super League!

Undoubtedly, I'd go for 12 teams personally.