Toronto Triumph

The Toronto Triumph was a team in the Lingerie Football League that began play in the 2011–12 season. Based in Toronto, Ontario, they played their inaugural season at the Ricoh Coliseum. When they joined LFL Canada for the 2012 season, they played their home games at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

Toronto Triumph
Established2011
Folded2012
Based inToronto, Ontario
Mississauga, Ontario
Home fieldRicoh Coliseum (2011–12)
Hershey Centre (2012)
Head coachAsst. Coach Kyle Bailey
Owner(s)Lingerie Football League, LLC
LeagueLingerie Football League
LFL Canada
DivisionEastern Conference
ColoursOxford blue, Cambridge blue, white
     
WebsiteOfficial site
Triumph players during a PETA rally

The Triumph ceased operations after the 2012 LFL Canada season. The team was historically one of the worst in the league, only winning a single game, and was marred by labor disputes and behavioral issues throughout its existence.

History

The Triumph played the 2011–12 season in the United States Lingerie Football League (LFL) as a preview for the Canadian league that was announced to begin play in 2012.[1] Open try-outs were held at Polson Pier on April 30, 2011. Among those attending was Krista Ford, the 20-year-old daughter of Toronto City Councillor Doug Ford and niece of Toronto mayor Rob Ford; she played touch football in high school.[2] Ford was eventually accepted onto the team, becoming the team's captain.

The inaugural game resulted in a 48–14 loss, with around 1800 in attendance or about 20% of the capacity in Ricoh Coliseum. The half-time show was a contest to tackle one of the players.[3] After the first game, the Triumph released four players. Shortly after, sixteen of the twenty players on the team, including captain Krista Ford, quit the team. They criticized the helmets and shoulder pads provided as unsafe, and suggested that the coaching was improper. Management suggested that "[m]ost of these women have never touched a football prior. Now they're critiquing on who's qualified to coach football. It's almost laughable."[4] Commissioner Mitchell Mortaza accused the players of having a "lack of heart".[5] Ford had previously publicly commented on the growing expenses not covered by the team.[6] The league made no mention of the mass exodus in its official preview of the following week's game, which the Triumph played with ten replacement players in addition to the few remaining players who did not quit.[7]

The replacement players went on to engage in a bench-clearing brawl in a 74–0 shutout loss to the Philadelphia Passion.[8] The team finished in last place in the league for the 2011–12 season and league chairman Mitch Mortaza fired the Triumph coaching staff, citing the coaches' inability to control the players.[9]

The Triumph was one of four teams to be included in the Lingerie Football League's new Canadian division, LFL Canada, along with the BC Angels, Saskatoon Sirens and Regina Rage. Coinciding with the move, the Triumph relocated to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga.

On 27 June 2013, the LFL announced that the Triumph would suspend operations for the 2013 season citing concerns with both the Hershey Centre and the Ricoh Coliseum being inadequate for the league's logistical and broadcast requirements.[10] The 2013 LFL Canada season was then postponed indefinitely due to player disputes, league office scheduling, and general preparation.

Seasons

2011–12 season

  Win   Loss   Tie

DateOpponentVenueScoreRecord
September 17[3]Tampa BreezeRicoh ColiseumLost, 14–480–1
October 28Baltimore CharmRicoh ColiseumLost, 6–420–2
December 9at Philadelphia PassionSun National Bank CenterLost, 0–740–3
January 13at Orlando FantasyCitrus BowlLost, 18–490–4

2012 LFL Canada
DateOpponentVenueScoreRecord
September 8at Regina RageBrandt CentreLost, 32–400–1
September 15Saskatoon SirensHershey CentreLost, 22–440–2
September 29at BC AngelsAbbotsford Entertainment & Sports CentreLost, 27–310–3
October 27BC AngelsHershey CentreWon, 22–81–3

References
  1. "LFL Announces Toronto Franchise Host Arena and Unveils Team Logo". lfl360.com. 26 April 2011.
  2. Davidson, Terry (27 April 2011). "Mayor's niece trying out for lingerie football". The Toronto Sun. Toronto ON. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  3. Jackson, Emily (19 September 2011). "Toronto fans cheer on lingerie football team despite loss". Toronto Star. Toronto ON. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  4. "20 leave Toronto lingerie football team in dispute over safety, coaching". The Star. Toronto. 23 October 2011.
  5. "Lfl Chairman Mitchell Mortaza Issues Statement About Former Toronto Triumph Players". LFL360.com. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  6. "Headed to practice". Facebook. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  7. "Week Ten Preview | Baltimore Charm At Toronto Triumph". LFL360.com. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  8. Dart, Chris (23 August 2012). "Lingerie Footbrawl | Buzz". The Score. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  9. "Lfl Canada | Toronto Triumph Part Ways With Coaching Staff". LFL360. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  10. "LFL Canada Suspends Operations Of Toronto Triumph For 2013 Season". LFL360.com. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
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