‘We are sorry’: Whitecaps issue statement following abuse allegations

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Whitecaps have issued a statement apologizing “for the harm that has clearly come to many women who participated in our program.” This follows allegations of abuse brought forward by former women’s team players.

“We express sincere regret and empathy for the harm that has clearly come to many women who participated in our program at that time,” reads the letter. “The pain and suffering these women feel is real and something we care deeply about. And while we sought and acted on the advice of the best available counsel at the time, it is clear that people were deeply affected. For that we are sorry.”

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According to the club, staff launched an investigation back in 2008 into a “serious allegation” against the Women’s team coach. Following the investigation, the club says it “terminated the relationship with the coach and adopted an extensive workplace policy.”

Earlier this year, Ciara McCormack, who played for the team during 2002, 2005-06 and 2011, said she witnessed a number of problematic situations during her second and third periods with the squad. She outlined her concerns in a 7,000-word blog post, including accusations of sexual text messages from a coach to underage players and another coach pressuring a player to sleep in his hotel room.

She was joined by 13 other players who also came forward. That’s when the organization says staff “immediately” contacted police.

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“The club will conduct a thorough and independent review of our operations to ensure that we foster and enforce a culture of zero tolerance for any form of harassment or bullying,” reads the statement. “In addition to reviewing our current respectful workplace policies and procedures, we will also be reviewing the actions we took 11 years ago to determine what we can learn from them going forward.”

The letter is signed by co-owners Greg Kerfoot and Keff Mallett.

But McCormack is saying the letter is not “good enough.” In a tweet, the former player reacted to the Whitecaps statement, saying there was “no sincerity, no accountability,” noting many unanswered questions remain.

She also questions why it took the club two months since she first wrote about the allegations, two fan walkouts, and a drop in attendance to address the issue.

The Southsiders and Curva Collective supporters groups have held partial walkouts in the last two Whitecaps home matches, leaving their seats for the final ten minutes of the first half of each game in solidarity following the allegations.

None of the allegations against that former Whitecaps women’s coach have been tested in court.

Timeline of events

In the letter, the Whitecaps provided the following timeline of events from 2008: