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WILL Hopoate wanted to sit out Sunday NRL games due to his Mormon faith during his two-year tenure at Parramatta, but was denied the request because the club’s motto is “club first, team second and individual third’’.
In the wake of Canterbury’s decision to allow Hopoate to not train or play on Sundays, chairman Steve Sharp confirmed the Eels knocked back a similar approach from the NSW Origin representative.
“Yes that’s the case,” Sharp told The Daily Telegraph when asked about Hopoate’s request not to play on Sundays.
“You can’t choose to be a social footballer when it suits you and then a professional footballer when it suits you.
“We all have to acknowledge that it’s a great entertainment sport, but it’s a business and the business is spread over the entertainment areas and Sunday is one of the big games as far as your television goes.
“That’s why you want your best players out on the park whenever they can be, barring injury. We view that very strongly that if you play for the club, you have play for the club and the love of the game.”
Hopoate will miss three straight Sunday games in rounds 10, 11 and 12 against the Wests Tigers, the Roosters and Canberra. He is unsure whether he’ll play in the grand final if Canterbury makes it that far.
The 23-year-old, who quit the game in 2012 to embark on a two-year Mormon mission, has the support of Bulldogs coach Des Hasler, his teammates and CEO Raelene Castle.
Hopoate’s decision not to play or train on Sundays has also been well received by the rugby league community, who have labelled the star fullback courageous for following his faith.
Asked if it was a hard decision for Parramatta to say no, Sharp said: “No, not for me.
“Our motto is club first, team second and individual third and that’s been our motto from day one.
“But Will Hopoate left our club on good terms. He is a lovely man, he is an absolute gentleman and I’m really pleased to see him play good football and it looks like he is really enjoying his football and life.
“Good luck to him and I hope he continues to do that.
“If the Bulldogs are happy for him to miss four or five games throughout the year because he won’t play on Sundays, well that’s their choice.
“But it’s not our club’s choice.”
Hopoate also remains locked in a legal battle with the Eels over a contract dispute, which is currently being heard in the Supreme Court.
The fullback’s barrister Julieanne Levick remains optimistic of her client receiving a payout in relation to a three-year deal he signed when he returned to the Eels in 2014.
Meanwhile, Sharp said he hoped to meet with the NRL as soon as this week to formally discuss ramifications following salary cap allegations levelled at the club.
“They (the NRL) have come in and taken all that information and that’s where we are at,” Sharp said.
“We haven’t been contacted for further information, we’re happy to work with them and hopefully we’ll find out later this week.”
Source
In the wake of Canterbury’s decision to allow Hopoate to not train or play on Sundays, chairman Steve Sharp confirmed the Eels knocked back a similar approach from the NSW Origin representative.
“Yes that’s the case,” Sharp told The Daily Telegraph when asked about Hopoate’s request not to play on Sundays.
“You can’t choose to be a social footballer when it suits you and then a professional footballer when it suits you.
“We all have to acknowledge that it’s a great entertainment sport, but it’s a business and the business is spread over the entertainment areas and Sunday is one of the big games as far as your television goes.
“That’s why you want your best players out on the park whenever they can be, barring injury. We view that very strongly that if you play for the club, you have play for the club and the love of the game.”
Hopoate will miss three straight Sunday games in rounds 10, 11 and 12 against the Wests Tigers, the Roosters and Canberra. He is unsure whether he’ll play in the grand final if Canterbury makes it that far.
The 23-year-old, who quit the game in 2012 to embark on a two-year Mormon mission, has the support of Bulldogs coach Des Hasler, his teammates and CEO Raelene Castle.
Hopoate’s decision not to play or train on Sundays has also been well received by the rugby league community, who have labelled the star fullback courageous for following his faith.
Asked if it was a hard decision for Parramatta to say no, Sharp said: “No, not for me.
“Our motto is club first, team second and individual third and that’s been our motto from day one.
“But Will Hopoate left our club on good terms. He is a lovely man, he is an absolute gentleman and I’m really pleased to see him play good football and it looks like he is really enjoying his football and life.
“Good luck to him and I hope he continues to do that.
“If the Bulldogs are happy for him to miss four or five games throughout the year because he won’t play on Sundays, well that’s their choice.
“But it’s not our club’s choice.”
Hopoate also remains locked in a legal battle with the Eels over a contract dispute, which is currently being heard in the Supreme Court.
The fullback’s barrister Julieanne Levick remains optimistic of her client receiving a payout in relation to a three-year deal he signed when he returned to the Eels in 2014.
Meanwhile, Sharp said he hoped to meet with the NRL as soon as this week to formally discuss ramifications following salary cap allegations levelled at the club.
“They (the NRL) have come in and taken all that information and that’s where we are at,” Sharp said.
“We haven’t been contacted for further information, we’re happy to work with them and hopefully we’ll find out later this week.”
Source
