Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
Interesting statement.
I have to say the silence was starting to become deafening on this issue. No one was jumping in on the record either for or against the allegations.
On the face of it this statement strikes me as just more hearsay when it comes to "Coach Billy" and his alleged actions. Again, no first hand accounts of incidents that occurred, in fact this is almost third hand at this point. That does not make the allegations any less true, but the more links in the chain, the more opportunity for rumour, etc., to infiltrate the information that is being passed on. It also strikes me as a bit of a targeted swipe at Coastal for what feels like might be personal reasons. That certainly does not invalidate the statement, but it does perhaps colour it somewhat.
It seems to shift things back towards the sexual allegations as opposed to the bullying/systemic cultural allegations. Again, there is mention that "Coach Billy" is an "excellent coach" and there is no criticism in this statement, at least as I read it, of there being any issues with the way he coaches. Sounds like Coastal certainly felt that way about his coaching methods, as it does not seem like there was any hesitation in hiring him for his coaching ability.
Rumours swirling "in the soccer community" are not proof of anything. Definitely some thing you talk about as a risk assessment (ie is hiring this person going to damage our brand or promote it?), but there was nothing on the record. Specifically there was no police investigation or charges. Drawing the conclusion that he would not have left the Whitecaps/CSA if there was not a sinister reason for him to do so is false logic. It is an explanation, but not the only, definitive explanation. To put it in other terms, it is certainly not the reason beyond a reasonable doubt why he left. In fact, I would venture that it is touch and go to say it was the reason he left on a balance of probabilities based on the evidence currently available to the public (and it seems there was even less evidence made public at the time).
That being said, it does put Coastal in the awkward position of having the statement put out by CM saying that this is "all new to them" appear to be, at best, a mischaracterization of the facts. CM has responded to Reddy's comments by saying the club will not have any further comment until there is "new information." As I stated previously, knowing who was part of Coastal/Peace Arch/South Fraser/Semiahmoo at the time, I have difficulty believing that, with all their Whitecaps connections and contacts, they would not have heard the rumours. Again though, as there was nothing on the record, it would seem difficult to condemn them entirely for opting to hire what was, on the face of it, basically an overqualified coach who could be a major contributor getting HPL off the ground.
If it comes out that the Whitecaps did bury tangible evidence of inappropriate behaviour then there should be hell to pay. If they did have proof of these allegations it means either they lied to Coastal or Coastal was a party to disregarding it.
Otherwise this is all starting to drift towards soccer politics and away from the real issue IMO.
I have to say the silence was starting to become deafening on this issue. No one was jumping in on the record either for or against the allegations.
On the face of it this statement strikes me as just more hearsay when it comes to "Coach Billy" and his alleged actions. Again, no first hand accounts of incidents that occurred, in fact this is almost third hand at this point. That does not make the allegations any less true, but the more links in the chain, the more opportunity for rumour, etc., to infiltrate the information that is being passed on. It also strikes me as a bit of a targeted swipe at Coastal for what feels like might be personal reasons. That certainly does not invalidate the statement, but it does perhaps colour it somewhat.
It seems to shift things back towards the sexual allegations as opposed to the bullying/systemic cultural allegations. Again, there is mention that "Coach Billy" is an "excellent coach" and there is no criticism in this statement, at least as I read it, of there being any issues with the way he coaches. Sounds like Coastal certainly felt that way about his coaching methods, as it does not seem like there was any hesitation in hiring him for his coaching ability.
Rumours swirling "in the soccer community" are not proof of anything. Definitely some thing you talk about as a risk assessment (ie is hiring this person going to damage our brand or promote it?), but there was nothing on the record. Specifically there was no police investigation or charges. Drawing the conclusion that he would not have left the Whitecaps/CSA if there was not a sinister reason for him to do so is false logic. It is an explanation, but not the only, definitive explanation. To put it in other terms, it is certainly not the reason beyond a reasonable doubt why he left. In fact, I would venture that it is touch and go to say it was the reason he left on a balance of probabilities based on the evidence currently available to the public (and it seems there was even less evidence made public at the time).
That being said, it does put Coastal in the awkward position of having the statement put out by CM saying that this is "all new to them" appear to be, at best, a mischaracterization of the facts. CM has responded to Reddy's comments by saying the club will not have any further comment until there is "new information." As I stated previously, knowing who was part of Coastal/Peace Arch/South Fraser/Semiahmoo at the time, I have difficulty believing that, with all their Whitecaps connections and contacts, they would not have heard the rumours. Again though, as there was nothing on the record, it would seem difficult to condemn them entirely for opting to hire what was, on the face of it, basically an overqualified coach who could be a major contributor getting HPL off the ground.
If it comes out that the Whitecaps did bury tangible evidence of inappropriate behaviour then there should be hell to pay. If they did have proof of these allegations it means either they lied to Coastal or Coastal was a party to disregarding it.
Otherwise this is all starting to drift towards soccer politics and away from the real issue IMO.