biffon
04-30-2007, 12:30 PM
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21646791-5005401,00.html
Force release homesick Ioane
Jim Kelly
(http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21646791-5005401,00.html#)
WESTERN Force winger Digby Ioane has confirmed he will play for Queensland Reds in next year's Super 14 competition.
Ioane has been under pressure to honour a commitment to sign again with the Force after last week announcing he would join the Reds in 2008.
The 21-year-old made a verbal agreement to sign a new contract with the Force during the side's hapless tour of New Zealand but stunned club officials late last week when he announced he had accepted a two-year deal with the Reds.
Ioane said today he wanted to be closer to family.
Force coach John Mitchell, players and club officials met with Ioane on Saturday to encourage him to stay.
Despite having legal advice that Ioane could be held to the verbal contract with the Force, RugbyWA Chief Executive Peter O'Meara said the club would not make him stay.
``Digby clearly struggles with homesickness and for compassionate reasons we have released him from his obligations and he will return to Queensland next year,'' Mr O'Meara said.
``Its disappointing to lose a player like Digby, particularly after the huge amount of time and effort put into his development by our coaching staff.
``While we have strong legal advice saying Digby is obliged to satisfy his two year contract with us, he is an exceptional case and we believe for compassionate reasons it might be best for him to return to Queensland to be close to his family.''
Ioane has apologized for changing his mind but said he had struggled being away from his family over the past two years.
``I'd like to thank everyone at the Emirates Western Force like Mitch (John Mitchell) and the coaching staff,'' he said.
``They've done a great job developing my skills.
``But I am really looking forward to going home for family reasons.''
:smiley6: :smiley6: :smiley19: :smiley5: :smiley18: :smiley5: :smiley11: :naughty:
Force release homesick Ioane
Jim Kelly
(http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21646791-5005401,00.html#)
WESTERN Force winger Digby Ioane has confirmed he will play for Queensland Reds in next year's Super 14 competition.
Ioane has been under pressure to honour a commitment to sign again with the Force after last week announcing he would join the Reds in 2008.
The 21-year-old made a verbal agreement to sign a new contract with the Force during the side's hapless tour of New Zealand but stunned club officials late last week when he announced he had accepted a two-year deal with the Reds.
Ioane said today he wanted to be closer to family.
Force coach John Mitchell, players and club officials met with Ioane on Saturday to encourage him to stay.
Despite having legal advice that Ioane could be held to the verbal contract with the Force, RugbyWA Chief Executive Peter O'Meara said the club would not make him stay.
``Digby clearly struggles with homesickness and for compassionate reasons we have released him from his obligations and he will return to Queensland next year,'' Mr O'Meara said.
``Its disappointing to lose a player like Digby, particularly after the huge amount of time and effort put into his development by our coaching staff.
``While we have strong legal advice saying Digby is obliged to satisfy his two year contract with us, he is an exceptional case and we believe for compassionate reasons it might be best for him to return to Queensland to be close to his family.''
Ioane has apologized for changing his mind but said he had struggled being away from his family over the past two years.
``I'd like to thank everyone at the Emirates Western Force like Mitch (John Mitchell) and the coaching staff,'' he said.
``They've done a great job developing my skills.
``But I am really looking forward to going home for family reasons.''
:smiley6: :smiley6: :smiley19: :smiley5: :smiley18: :smiley5: :smiley11: :naughty: