ComplaintsforUnited Tykes Network

• Initial Complaint

  12/13/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  During the week of 12/01/2021 through 12/06/2021, we took 37 youth athletes to ***********, ******* to compete in a championship tournament for the United Tykes Network, run by Mr. ********************** We paid $1,500 to enter two teams into the tournaments, were promised 2 games, and were told verbally that there were ***** teams registered and paid. When we arrived at the tournament, we found out that only two 11u teams had registered and four 9u teams had registered. Our 9u team played two games, but our 11u team only played one game. We reached out to **************** and have been ignored. We have left messages, sent emails, and texted and he has not responded. He did not hold up his end of the agreement and allow us to play two games and he interacted with an unauthorized person regarding our teams and playing games and did not get permission from the coaches prior to the interaction. We would like to recover at least $750 for the team whose contract was broken, if not the entire $1,500 because of the lie told regarding how many teams would play in the tournament. Our parents, coaches, and players are extremely upset by the lack of play time given to both teams and by the lack of professionalism of the medics, referees, and opposing teams involved in the tournament. Our players and coaches were called racist names and not penalized for their actions, which caused unnecessary stress to our players, parents, coaches, and fans. While BBB does not handle discrimination, the lack of repercussions from the United Tykes Network is the reason we would like our full $1,500 refunded to us. This business/organization lied, did not hold up their end of the agreement, and did not treat us as paying customers should be treated and then stopped communicating with us altogether.

  Customer response

  01/24/2022

   
  Complaint: 16348510
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  We had multiple other coaches and board members who were available to both coach the team and accept the trophy.  The coach's actions have no bearing on the fact that there were only two teams registered to play when we were told there would be more.  This complaint has nothing to do with the coach's actions and if both games had been played we wouldn't request a refund.  The reason for requesting a refund is because we were not allowed to play the games that were required per the contract that was entered - which, again, we had plenty of coaches (roughly 8) who could have easily coached.  We weren't told that the game was cancelled for any reason other than the opposing team backing out - which is not our fault and should therefore qualify us for a refund, as you did not allow us to play the games that we were promised in our contract.

  Again, the actions of one coach has no bearing on whether or not the promised second game was played - that was the organization's fault for not having a backup plan in case the other team backed out.  Our athletes lost valuable field time and experience because of this oversight on the part of the organization.  We weren't even given the option to discuss having a second game.  There were plenty of other coaches and adults who could have been on the field, one coach is not cause for a whole team to not be allowed to play.  We have never seen that in any sport - the coaches are banned, but the teams aren't.

  I do not appreciate and do not think it is good business practice for an organization to utilize the actions of one person as a reason to ***** their responsibilities to the people who put their trust in the organization.  The issue is that we did not receive our second game when there was ample ability for the game to occur, which again voids any contract that would have been signed that stated no refunds.  UTN did not hold up their end of the bargain that was struck and therefore we are entitled to a refund of our registration payment.

  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Business response

  02/15/2022

  From: ***************************** <*********************>
  Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2022 11:28 AM
  To: *********************** <*************************************************>
  Subject: Re: Complaint 16348510

   

   

   

  Response to consumers rebuttal:

   

  United Tykes Networks only had communication with the offending coach and another coach who apologized and asked to pick up the trophies. No other member of your organization had communication with United Tykes Network in regards to this situation. Our refund policy is clear and clearly stated during registration. 

   

  United Tykes Network reserves the right to disqualify any organization and its team for any conduct that jeopardizes the health and safety of spectators, coaches, players, UTN staff, or facility staff. Should this occur all monies paid to UTN by the offending team/organization would be ineligible for a refund.

   

  We will not be providing a refund to this organization. Thank you. 

   

  Customer response

  02/15/2022

   
  Complaint: 16348510
  
  I am rejecting this response because: the person who accepted the trophies was not a coach and we were not informed that we were disqualified.  The contract was broken and we were not communicated with effectively. I would like to be provided with proof that the business communicated with the ONE coach with whom they were supposed to discuss any and all business.  This is getting quite ridiculous - clearly they are looking for ways to avoid giving us a refund or dealing with us and this is an unsavory business practice.  The contract was not upheld, no one was informed of any disqualification or any negative repercussions to the athletes, and the person communicated with was not a coach nor was that person authorized for communication on our behalf.  The person who acted on our behalf has been handled, now we expect the United Tykes Network to handle their error in dealing with an unauthorized person and in not fulfilling our contract.  The game in which the offending coach was removed was continued to it's end, therefore we clearly were not disqualified and our coach was informed that the opposing team refused to play a second game.  None of the communication we received included disqualification...and we were given a trophy, which shows that we were not disqualified.

  I refuse to accept any business responses other than an agreement to refund our registration fee for our 11u team due to breach of contract.

  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Business response

  03/15/2022

  Response:

   

  We responded to this customer on 12/7/2021, 2 days after the event was over, and advised via email that no refund would be issued. Our decision is based on the following:

   

  On Thursday, December 2,  your head coach slammed a player on the concrete ground and cursed him in front of everyone. He was asked to be mindful of his behavior. We received numerous complaints from patrons regarding his behavior.

   

  On Friday,  December 3, your head coach and someone that was identified as his brother caused a major disturbance to our event. He was belligerent and seemed to be intoxicated. He cursed our staff, the medics, referees, and disobeyed the request to leave the facility by the *************************** in the middle of a game. He threatened the referees and medics.  The situation further escalated when he grabbed the police officer, and back up was called, causing 8+ additional officers arrived on the scene and the disruption lasted over 30 minutes.  

   

  As a result, the venue trespassed these individuals. So they are banned from that facility indefinitely. We also had to increase the number of officers on site for the rest of the event, costing our organization for the actions of your coaching staff. 

   

  There was no contract, just a 2 game guarantee. Your team was scheduled for a second game.  Unfortunately, the behavior of your coach disqualified your team from the second game. As the venue noted this was a safety issue. We had to replace your team in the game they were supposed to play. We spoke to your coach and advised him of this via phone after the incident. United Tykes Network takes the safety and well-being of players and spectators very seriously. The actions of your coach were irresponsible, dangerous, and selfish. The referees wanted to end the first game. However, United Tykes Network, advocated for the kids to be able to complete the game despite the antics of their coach. So they were able to complete the first game. 

   

  The 'unauthorized' person we interacted with was another coach from your organization who came to pick up the trophies and apologize for the behavior of your head coach. Furthermore, it is clearly stated on the registration (attached) that no refunds will be issued. 

   

  We take discrimination seriously.  We are a minority-owned organization. United Tykes Network did not participate in any discrimination. Furthermore, at no time did anyone from the customer's organization advise us of any discrimination during the event. 

   

  Please advise if police reports and additional documentation are desired and we can obtain that for you. Thank you. 

   

  Regards, 
  

  ******** Hudson 

  Chief Operations Officer

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