TORONTO, July 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, July 26th Toronto Wolfpack gathered at Toronto City Hall to receive official recognition from the Mayor, and the City of Toronto, for winning the 2018 Betfred Championship League Leaders’ Shield.

Toronto Wolfpack coaches and players at City Hall with Mayor John Tory.

Within two years, Toronto Wolfpack have established themselves as one of Toronoto’s well loved sports teams, playing home games at the City of Toronto’s Lamport Stadium in Liberty Village, aka ‘The Den’. Alongside a positive relationship with the City of Toronto the Wolfpack have built a strong connection with Torontonians, attracting crowds of up to 8,500 fans. The Wolfpack boast a record of 19-0-0 for home games held in Toronto and the GTA. On Saturday, July 7th Toronto Wolfpack lifted the Leaders’ Shield after defeating the Sheffield Eagles 68-4 at Lamport Stadium. The trophy is the Wolfpack’s 3rd since the team’s inaugural season in 2017.

“The team is fully invested in our city. From the first day, from that opening press conference, they have done this first class and they’ve done this in a professional manner and the results have been the same…” said Mayor John Tory. “They’ve partnered with local, family-owned businesses here in Toronto to do a lot of the stuff they have to do to make a success of the team, and that has helped raise the profile of the team. I’m sure the Wolfpack are getting written up overseas and you don’t even see it, and that’s great for Toronto as well.”

As the world’s first transatlantic professional sports team, the Pack proudly represent the city of Toronto, and Canada as a whole, in away games in the UK and France. Numbers of visiting fans are expected to be 3,000 this season, rising to up to 10,000 in 2019, providing a huge boost to Wolfpack partner Tourism Toronto. Current broadcast partnerships also mean Wolfpack games are showcased live in over 100 million homes worldwide.

“This city has continued to provide me and the team with proud moments and to be accepted within the rich tapestry of Toronto sporting history. To rub shoulders with your great sporting teams is magnificent for us…” commented Wolfpack Head Coach Paul Rowley, who was joined at City Hall by coaching staff and players. “On behalf of the boys and all our staff, everybody on the field and off the field, we will continue to do our best and continue to represent the city in the best way we possibly can.”

Toronto Wolfpack will compete in the postseason Super 8’s The Qualifiers in August and September, challenging for promotion to the RFL Super League. In lifting the Championship League Leaders’ Shield the Pack will be rewarded with 4 home games and 3 away games in the postseason competition, with the schedule to be confirmed in early August.

“As an organization, we believe that the world is a better place with more rugby balls in kids’ hands. The unique platform we enjoy allows us to inspire youngsters across Toronto and Canada to explore the sport of rugby….” said Toronto Wolfpack General Manager – Commercial, Scott Lidbury. “Toronto is a sports city through and through, which is why it is one of our principal ambitions to work with the City of Toronto to create a Global Centre for Rugby Excellence here.”

Toronto Wolfpack proudly champion UK-Canadian Trade, as showcased by high profile partnerships with Canadian companies Air Transat and Maple Leaf Diamonds. As well as creating global exposure for large corporations, the Wolfpack proudly support and showcase local family-run businesses in Ontario. The Wolfpack’s dedication to their values is evident with a visit to any Wolfpack home game, as active and enthusiastic fans enjoy the highly acclaimed game day experience alongside a wide range of local Ontario Craft Brewers.

For more information on Toronto Wolfpack, please visit www.torontowolfpack.com.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Jon Pallett
Head of Marketing & Communications
Toronto Wolfpack
jon@torontowolfpack.com
647-675-6301

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb6e98c5-1890-4c09-bdd4-5410faa5ad5b