The Valke rugby union has confirmed it is not in a financial position to pay players’ salaries for July.

In a release on Wednesday, trade union Sports Employees Unite chief executive Piet Heymans expressed his concern that the union had not communicated anything about its financial position and did not notify any of its employees that salary payments would not be made this month.

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In response, the MyPlayers organisation has confirm that the Valke union had informed them that they are not in a financial position to pay players their salaries for July.

‘On Friday morning, we had an online meeting with the Valke players to inform them of this unfortunate turn of events,’ MyPlayers CEO Eugene Henning said.

‘The meeting was also attended by Ettienne de Lange, CEO of the Valke Rugby Union and representative of the company. Though it is very late in the day and month to announce such far-reaching decisions, we regard Ettienne’s contributions as constructive and informative. Players were also afforded the opportunity to voice their immediate and future concerns.’

‘In the coming days, MyPlayers will work closely with De Lange, the management of the Valke company, as well as the Union to resolve the matter and ensure payments are made to the players. Following those conversations, MyPlayers will again meet with the players on Tuesday morning.’

Henning added that going forward, his organisation’s focus is to support the players by offering:

• Debt counselling assistance
• Support and direction with UIF applications
• Provide immediate relief for their day-to-day household needs via the Hardship Fund of the Players’ Organisation
• Access to a lawyer to support players individually
• Letters to players’ creditors

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images