Dolphins turn to legal action

Following months of waiting for payment by their sponsors, the Ballito Dolphins rugby club has officially ended its contract and is demanding to be paid out the money that is owed to the club.

The Dolphins signed a sponsorship agreement with B’rit Resources in January last year to the tune of R1.2 million over three years. Fifteen months later, the club has still not received a single cent from its sponsor, despite the company branding appearing prominently on players’ kit.

Club chairman Kevin Murphy told the Courier that the club is seeking an amount of R533 333 as well as recovery of all legal costs. This can be broken down as R400 000 due for the 2013 season and a pro rata amount R133 333 for the second year’s sponsorship between January to April this year.

“We have a written agreement signed back in January 2013 and then resigned in February this year, and we believe that 15 months of non payment is more than enough grounds to terminate the agreement and claim the total amount that is legally due to us,” said Murphy

Murphy and his lawyers will apply for a summary judgement for the non payment.

“What I do know is that it is illegal for a director to sign agreements on behalf of a company promising payments when the company in fact does not have the funds available. If this indeed is the case with regards to our agreement with B’Rit then I am sure that courts will decide whether to pursue the director of the offending company or not.”

The ongoing saga is preventing the club from finding new sponsors.

“This is why we have decided to terminate the agreement and negotiate with other potential sponsors and move forward from here.”

Despite the dire situation, which has left the club indebted by at least R275 000, Murphy is optimistic that the Dolphins are finally on the up and up.

“We continue to move forward without them and we have had some very good meetings to date with potential sponsors. We hope to make an announcement shortly on concluded deals. The support that has been promised by the business community in Ballito is very encouraging and the calls and emails of support has been comforting to know that anyone who can help is willing to help.”

The club has also signed a lease agreement at Sugar Rush and are planning to build a pitch and clubhouse. Murphy is appealing for the community to help out where they can.

“The Dolphins belongs to the community and we will do everything possible for the Ballito community to be proud being involved with their own rugby club,” Murphy said.