Toronto Wolfpack

Toronto Wolfpack
Club information
Full name Toronto Wolfpack Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s) The Pack
Short name Toronto
Website torontowolfpack.com
Colours
Founded 2016 (2016)
Current details
Ground(s)
CEO(s) Eric Perez
Coach(s) Paul Rowley
Competition League 1
Current season

Toronto Wolfpack R.L.F.C. is a Canadian professional rugby league club, based in Toronto, which will begin play in the 2017 League 1 season.[1]

History

2014–2016: Origins and foundation

The Rugby Football League first received an application from a Canadian consortium based in Toronto, led by the Chairman of the national governing body Canada Rugby League Eric Perez, in 2014 to compete in the United Kingdom's third tier of professional rugby league.[2] Perez was denied permission to join the first-tier Super League directly, and instead attempted to build the club up to the point where it can be promoted.[3][4] A press conference was held on 27 April 2016 at which details on the franchise, which will begin play in 2017, were revealed.[5][6] The team will be the first professional rugby league team to be based in Canada.[6] A group of 10 businessmen, including Canadians and Australians, own the club.[7]

It was suggested that it was an attractive market due to Canada having the largest following of rugby league outside of Australia, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.[8][9] The club plans to play in blocks of four home matches, four away matches, and cover all expenses of visiting teams throughout the season.[10][11] All away games are expected to be broadcast locally according to Perez.[4]

Stadium

Main article: Lamport Stadium

The team's planned home stadium is Lamport Stadium in Toronto, which seats 9,600.[6] The stadium was opened in 1975 and has an artificial field. In addition to rugby, it has also hosted soccer and lacrosse. The stadium attracts average crowds of around 7,000 for international rugby league fixtures.[12] The team signed a three-year lease.[13]

Kit sponsors and manufacturers

Year Kit ManufacturerMain Shirt Sponsor
2017– Kappa TBA

Players

Current squad

Tryouts will be held in cities across North America starting in August 28, including; Vancouver, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Kingston, Tampa and in Toronto itself.[14]

2017 Toronto Wolfpack Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coach

Legend:
  • (c) Captain
  • (vc) Vice captain

Updated: 15 November 2016
Source(s):

Transfers

Ins

Gains
Player Previous club Signing announced
England Craig Hall Wakefield Trinity Wildcats July 2016
England Liam Kay Leigh Centurions July 2016
England James Laithwaite Warrington Wolves July 2016
England Gary Wheeler Warrington Wolves July 2016
Canada Rhys Jacks Sheffield Eagles August 2016
Australia Blake Wallace Illawarra Cutters August 2016
Wales Dan Fleming Bradford Bulls August 2016
England Reece Dean Hull F.C. August 2016
England Andrew Dixon Leigh Centurions August 2016
England Jonny Pownall Leigh Centurions August 2016
England Jack Bussey London Broncos September 2016
Ireland Bob Beswick Leigh Centurions September 2016
England Greg Worthington Leigh Centurions September 2016
United States Ryan Burroughs Northern Virginia Eagles October 2016
England Toby Everett London Broncos October 2016
England Richard Whiting Leigh Centurions November 2016
England Steve Crossley Bradford Bulls November 2016
Samoa Quentin Laulu-Togaga'e Sheffield Eagles November 2016
Wales Jacob Emmitt Swinton Lions November 2016
United States Jerome Veve Gold Coast Titans November 2016
Tonga Fuifui Moimoi Leigh Centurions November 2016

[15]

Staff

First team coaching staff

Position Staff
Head coachEngland Paul Rowley
Assistant coachIreland Simon Finnigan
Head of strength and conditioningIreland Bob Beswick
First team performance analystTBD
Head physioTBD
Assistant physioTBD
Club masseurTBD
Kit manTBD

Club officials

Toronto Wolfpack owner Australia David Argyle
CEO Canada Eric Perez
Director of rugby England Brian Noble
TBA England Adam Fogerty
Commercial director
Finance director
Legal director
Non-executive director

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bower, Aaron (27 April 2016). "Toronto Wolfpack to enter League One next season, RFL announces". Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  2. ↑ name=apply>"Canadians seek to join League One in 2016 - Rugby League News, Forum & Features". 13 October 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Canadian team to join English rugby league setup". ESPN. 2016-04-24. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  4. 1 2 Proszenko, Adrian (2016-04-21). "Canadian team to play in UK next year as part of Super League bid". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  5. ↑ "TORONTO ANNOUNCED AS HOME TO WORLD'S FIRST TRANSATLANTIC PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM". Toronto Wolfpack. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  6. 1 2 3 "Rugby Football League officials joined by Mayor John Tory to unveil team brand and league information". 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  7. ↑ "New Toronto Wolfpack rugby league team won't divulge its ownership". Winnipeg Free Press. 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  8. ↑ Bower, Aaron (7 May 2015). "Toronto-based rugby league team in talks to join England's League 1". Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  9. ↑ "Canadians confident of being competitive in League One - Rugby League News, Forum & Features". 16 October 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  10. ↑ Bower, Aaron (2016-04-27). "Toronto Wolfpack to enter League One next season, RFL announces". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  11. ↑ http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/9838724/barrie-mcdermott-canadian-team-would-boost-league-one
  12. ↑ "Canadians seek to join League One in 2016 - Rugby League News, Forum & Features". 13 October 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  13. ↑ Yuen, Jenny (2016-04-27). "Toronto to be first transatlantic team in Rugby Football League". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  14. ↑ http://www.timescolonist.com/fledging-toronto-rugby-league-team-looking-for-talent-to-add-to-wolfpack-1.2300150
  15. ↑ http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/10509890/toronto-sign-craig-hall-and-liam-hall-ahead-of-2017-season
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