Lynx article
Hartrells defy odds to keep Lynx alive
Apr. 19, 2002. 01:00 AM
Norman Da Costa
The word profit does not exist in the dictionary of
professional soccer teams in North America. For the last several years, leagues
and clubs have drowned in a sea of red ink.
But despite the monumental
odds against survival, Toronto's lone pro team, the Lynx, is preparing for its
sixth season in the A-League, thanks to the dogged determination of owners
Nicole and Bruno Hartrell.
It hasn't been easy fulfilling a dream to keep
soccer alive in the city where losses have mounted every year. But Nicole, who
doubles up as the chief operating officer, reckons the worst is now behind the
club.
The club has lost about $5 million, but Nicole Hartrell is
confident that either this year, or next, it will break even.
One of the
reasons for the optimistic outlook is because of increased sponsorship deals and
a leap in ticket sales to community and sports groups. But the biggest saving
will come as a result of the club moving its home games from the
about-to-be-demolished Varsity Stadium to Etobicoke's Centennial
Stadium.
"Playing at Centennial will reduce our expenses a great deal,''
added Hartrell. "And that venue suits us just fine because it holds 3,500 — and
last season we averaged 3,000 to our games.''
If Nicole Hartrell has one
regret is that season ticket sales are still slow, but she expects that to pick
up next season if the team performs well this year.
She has also inked
two deals that she believes will benefit soccer in the city. The club has joined
hands with the Canadian Professional Soccer League and with Bryst
International.
The Lynx will be allowed to pick players belonging to CPSL
clubs if needed. This is, indeed, a historic deal because in the past, the many
leagues in Ontario did little to help each other. In fact, the knives were
always drawn.
The deal with Gary Miller of Bryst International is also a
first in Ontario.
Miller, who runs a youth academy in the province, will
be responsible for training an under-14 Lynx youth team. This team will play
against Canadian and U.S. competition in a move which was long
overdue.
All of the pro clubs in Europe and South America have youth
teams from which the pro team draws its younger players. If this project is a
success, Hartrell will consider introducing an under-17 team as
well.
Vancouver Whitecaps, also of the A-League, started an under-14
project last year and two other A-League franchises, Montreal and Calgary, will
be following suit this year.
"It has always been our intention to help
juniors because we will reap the benefits in the long run. In the past we lost
several youngsters simply because they could not play professionally in Canada.
This will give them the opportunity to pursue their soccer careers,'' she
said.
Granted, the salary isn't much. The majority of players in the
A-League earn around $15,000 for the season, with the better-known players
earning as much as $30,000.
"It will give the youngsters a chance to play
in a professional environment and showcase their talents. They could then move
to Europe or elsewhere,'' Hartrell said.
At least four Canadian
international players — goalkeeper Pat Onstad, midfielders Chris Pozniak and
Paul Stalteri and striker Dwayne de Rosario —were with the Lynx before being
signed up by European clubs.
While many others would have thrown in the
towel, the Hartrells deserve credit for their commitment to keep the sport alive
at the pro level.
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