Mavericks Football club starts season on the back foot after winter break-in
As the start of another football season nears, one Calgary club has had some of its excitement dashed.
Over the winter, someone broke into the Mavericks storage sheds by smashing locks and doors and stealing thousands of dollars in equipment and jerseys.
"It is really frustrating," said coach Todd Mackay. "That someone would come in and destroy our storage facility at a cost to us.
"It's (also) frustrating that somebody doesn't understand how much kids get out of this game and how much volunteers put into this game."
Mackay says that as a non-profit, Mavericks Football relies on volunteers and donations to fuel the sport. The club also covers the costs for kids who otherwise would not be able to play the game.
"We've never turned away a kid for being unable to pay his fees," Mackay added. "We believe no player should miss out on an opportunity to play football because of finances."
For now, the team will still take to the field, but they need to replace half their jerseys and repair damage to all their storage sheds.
"Feels like a big kick to the teeth," Mackay said.
Despite the circumstances, Ben Nolin says he still can't wait to get back on the field this weekend after COVID-19 derailed past seasons.
"It's been two years," Nolin told CTV News Calgary. "Lots of people have missed their chances. Like my brother missed his last two years of football.
"It's been super fun," he added. "We've been practicing, doing fun stuff, getting ready to play."
The team hopes to fundraise enough to cover the costs of the stolen equipment before the spring season is over.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.