PENRITH PANTHERS SET HIM TARGET.

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PENRITH PANTHERS SET HIM TARGET.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has disclosed that, during his first season back with the team in 2019, he considered leaving the team because he felt like a burden to his son, Nathan.

An emotional Cleary talked about the pain he and his family had endured since leaving the Wests Tigers to join Nathan at the Panthers, and why he was prepared to leave it all behind.

After an incredible grand final performance, Nathan Cleary embraces his father and coach Ivan, with Brad Fittler stepping aside.

“At the conclusion of that first year, that was on my mind. I Despite the raucous festivities inside the team’s changing room late on Sunday night, he said to this masthead.

The father-son issue really bothered me. Because Nathan wasn’t playing well, I felt bad about it. I thought I was a burden to him. I then began to consider whether or not I was the best man for the position. Simply put, I had no idea what to expect over the next four years. I’m happy we persevered.

With the historic three-peat on Sunday night, Cleary’s second stint at the Panthers came to a conclusion. That was the duration of the handshake agreement he signed with former chairman Dave O’Neill over a $4.20 coffee at a cafe on the outskirts of Penrith.

Amid the chaos and glitter an embrace between the coach and the man who had brought him back to the team marked the achievement of another grand final victory.

Ivan Cleary and son Nathan sharing an emotional embrace following Sunday’s grand final victory.
Ivan Cleary and son Nathan sharing an emotional embrace following Sunday’s grand final victory.CREDIT: GETTY

In a friendly conversation with former chairman O’Neill, who was there on the pitch as a club guest, Cleary commented, “Mate, look what you have started.”

Unbeknownst to the board at the time, O’Neill was the one who, in one of the season’s most dramatic and contentious tales, enticed the coach back to Penrith by offering to cut him out of his Tigers contract.

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Sad news: The paddlesup Toronto pickleball head coach has been fired after a clear indication that he is having an affair with his key player’s wife. In a shocking and deeply unfortunate turn of events, the head coach of PaddlesUp Toronto, one of the most prominent pickleball teams in Canada, has been dismissed following clear indications of an affair with the wife of one of his key players. The situation has sent waves of disbelief through the local pickleball community, with players, fans, and management alike struggling to come to terms with the betrayal that has rocked the team to its core. The incident came to light after a series of clues and reports suggesting that Coach Ryan Douglas, who has been with the team for over three years, was involved in an inappropriate relationship with Sarah Thompson, the wife of star player Evan Thompson. The affair, which reportedly began several months ago, has sparked a scandal that has overshadowed the team’s recent successes and left a cloud of uncertainty over the future of both the coach and the player. ### The Discovery and Immediate Response The affair was uncovered when an anonymous tip was sent to the PaddlesUp Toronto management, claiming that the coach and Sarah had been seen together on several occasions in compromising situations. According to reports, the tipster provided screenshots of text messages between Ryan and Sarah, as well as accounts from players who had witnessed increasingly close interactions between the two. The evidence prompted an internal investigation, and the findings left little room for doubt. The PaddlesUp Toronto management acted quickly to part ways with Coach Ryan Douglas, issuing a public statement that confirmed the termination. In their statement, the management expressed disappointment and sadness over the situation but made it clear that such behavior could not be tolerated within the organization. “It is with great regret that we announce the termination of Coach Ryan Douglas. His actions, which go against the core values of respect, integrity, and professionalism, have deeply affected the team and the community,” read the official statement. “After conducting a thorough review, we have determined that Coach Douglas’s conduct was inconsistent with the standards of our organization. We wish him the best moving forward, but we must part ways immediately.” ### The Emotional Impact on the Team The scandal has had a profound emotional impact, particularly on Evan Thompson, the star player whose personal life has been thrust into the spotlight. Thompson, a key figure in the team’s lineup, has been a dedicated player for PaddlesUp Toronto for several years and is widely regarded as one of the most talented and hardworking athletes in the sport. However, his career now seems intertwined with the shocking betrayal by his coach and wife. Sources close to the team report that Evan was devastated by the news of the affair. A close friend of the player commented, “Evan is a man who has always kept his personal life private. To have something so intimate and hurtful made public, especially involving his coach, is incredibly painful for him. This is a betrayal on multiple levels.” Evan has yet to make a public statement regarding the affair, and it is unclear whether he plans to continue playing for the team. Inside sources suggest that he is considering his future with PaddlesUp Toronto and is taking time to process the emotional toll of the situation. Teammates, while offering their support to Evan, have been left grappling with the scandal’s impact on the dynamic within the group. Several players have expressed disappointment in Coach Douglas, who had been seen as a mentor and leader. “It’s just so hard to believe,” said one of the players, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “Coach was a huge part of the team’s success. He was the one we looked up to. But what he did, it’s beyond the pale.” ### The Role of Sarah Thompson While the focus of much of the media attention has been on Coach Douglas, Sarah Thompson, the wife at the heart of the affair, has also found herself in the spotlight. Although she has not commented publicly, her actions have raised questions about loyalty and the impact of personal relationships within a professional sports setting. According to sources close to the situation, Sarah had been a frequent presence at PaddlesUp Toronto events and practices, and her relationship with Coach Douglas reportedly grew closer over time. The specifics of how the affair started remain unclear, but there are reports suggesting that Sarah may have been seeking emotional support during a difficult period in her marriage, which ultimately led to the inappropriate relationship. “There’s a lot of hurt and confusion surrounding this,” said a friend of Sarah’s. “She’s always been very supportive of Evan’s career, but she got caught up in something that has now affected so many people. She’s really struggling with the consequences.” ### The Response from the Toronto Pickleball Community The scandal has rippled throughout the Toronto pickleball community, which has been growing rapidly in popularity in recent years. The incident has left many in the community disappointed and disillusioned, as pickleball is often viewed as a sport that emphasizes camaraderie and respect, both on and off the court. Emma Harrison, a former professional pickleball player and a well-known figure in the Toronto pickleball scene, expressed her dismay at the news. “This is a sad, sad situation. Coach Douglas was seen as a leader, and now this betrayal has cast a shadow over the whole team. It’s just heartbreaking for Evan, for the players, and for the community,” she said in an interview. “I hope they can all heal, but it’s going to take time.” Some fans have expressed frustration with how quickly the decision to terminate the coach was made, suggesting that the situation could have been handled with more transparency. “I get that what happened is serious, but there’s no room for nuance in this whole situation,” one fan said. “I wish there had been more of an investigation before everything exploded like this.” Others, however, have supported the management’s decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards within sports organizations. “As difficult as it is, the management had to make this call,” said another local fan. “The integrity of the team and the sport needs to come first.” ### Looking Ahead: The Future of PaddlesUp Toronto As the dust settles from the scandal, PaddlesUp Toronto will need to navigate a difficult path forward. The organization has appointed an interim head coach, but the long-term future of the team remains uncertain. With the emotional toll on the players and staff, it will take time for the team to regain its focus and unity. The road ahead will not be easy for anyone involved, but the incident serves as a reminder of the profound impact personal actions can have on professional environments. While the future of PaddlesUp Toronto remains in flux, the team’s resilience and ability to move past this scandal will ultimately determine whether they can rebuild both their public image and their internal trust. For now, fans and players alike are left to process the aftermath of a scandal that no one could have predicted.

December 22, 2024