OF SERIES CASH-STRAPPED OUTFIT OUT Rays to fold as financial crisis hits

THE cash-strapped Northern Rays are set to exit the 2019 Sapphire Series just four rounds into the competition.

Confident their best was yet to come after a tough 61-28 loss to the Brisbane North Cougars in their first home game at Townsville Stadium on Saturday, the Rays announced yesterday they were unable to meet the financial requirements to continue in the competition.

In the wake of the Townsville floods, the Northern Rays have not been able to secure adequate funding for their operation.

However, Netball Queensland general manager of high performance and sport entertainment Richard Mcinnes said there was a commitment to provide support to get the club back up and running.

“Netball Queensland has been working with Lyn Law and the management team at the Northern Rays for many months to support their fundraising efforts,” Mcinnes said.

“Netball Queensland’s commitment to delivering our sport across the state is our focus and means we are not able to financially support the club in full.

“If the Northern Rays are unable to secure funding (this) weekend may be their last match in the competition for 2019.” Northern Rays president Lyn Law was optimistic the Northern Rays would get the support they needed.

“We love our netball and are so excited to have a team in North Queensland,” she said.

“We are a brand-new entity and many of our opportunities have not come into fruition – our community is traumatised from the floods earlier this year and the coffers are dry.

“We will continue to work with Netball Queensland to keep the Northern Rays on court.”

All players contracted to the Northern Rays Sapphire Series team will be given the opportunity to drop back into the Ruby Series North competition if the club does not receive the required funding before next weekend’s match.

“We are calling on our community to get behind us in our time of need,” Law said.

“And in true North Queensland spirit, we will not give up.”

If the Rays are unable to secure the required funding, the Sapphire Series draw will remain unchanged, with all Northern Rays fixtures switching to bye rounds to ensure all remaining clubs would have both Sapphire and Ruby Series teams aligned, which would provide the Rays the opportunity to re-enter the competition when financially able.

To assist the Rays, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/ keep-northern-rays-alive