There are a few points raised in this thread which are certainly misunderstood!

The dolls, yes did get paid, a very small amount for the hard work they put in. This however, did not come close to the money made by the ticket sales on a matchday. The profit the dolls made for the club on a through ticket sales far outweighed their payment. This therefore ends the 'we can't afford them' argument, as they did not cost the club anything. The experience the dolls have gained over the past 8 years of selling tickets at many different kinds of events - rugby, football, boxing - makes them more than perfect for the job, and would make them far better than any random stood at the side of the street. The girls are instantly recognisable when doing this job and many people go to specific girls to get their tickets every week.

My niece has been a member of the wildcat kittens for many years run by Sarah Elston and won't be returning now the dolls are not running it anymore. They gave the children brilliant opportunities, most recently arranging for the children to do three world cup games, representing wakefield wildcats! This kind of exposure makes more girls want to become involved in the academy, bringing in more class money and ticket money. The dance academy and all other community work the girls have done brings in ticket sales to games every week - there is the added benefit of community work.

There may be other 'younger girls' which would jump at the chance of being the wakefield wildcat dancers, but many others complain that dancers under 21 is a bit 'seedy' - a point which i don't agree with, as it depends which way you're looking at it. i personally am appreciating the dancing, not looking at them in THAT WAY. The dolls have danced at all home games every season for the past 8 years, so commenting that they do more other events than events at wakefield doesn't even make sense. They can't do more wakefield events if there aren't any!

Although i realise this has been a bit of an essay. The most important point i would like to make is that you're all talking about a group of girls that like to dance! They all auditioned to be part of the wakefield wildcats cheerleading team because they wanted to dance for the club because they are interested in rugby, and all some of you can do is talk negative about them! They're young girls who don't deserve to have all this talk about them, let them just do what they like to do, which is dance!
As for staff at wakefield wildcats - a) Sarah Elston left her post to pursue a different career - she was not booted out. b) yes other staff have left - and from what i've heard the past couple of week i don't blame them!

A very well put together and heartfelt argument that I can't disagree with one bit, not that I'd want to.

I hope that there's a way for the Dolls and Wakefield Trinity to continue working together, there's no doubt that they both benefit immensely from the association. Beyond that they do a massive amount of valuable community work and I can't remember there being a queue of people volunteering to do it before. If it all begins to unravel and the community work and opportunities dry up then it's the youngsters that really lose out and I'd hate to see that happen.

They may very well be replaced who knows. For my part I'm not fussed on game day. Barely notice them and they seem to get a poor reception overall from the supporters bar behind old dugouts.

What they brought off the field I really don't know but they are gone and thanks to them. I'm sure they have benefitted the club in some capacity off field and vice versa their association with the club has been a positive for the dancers and the business that has been built up.

They are not irreplaceable like most things and should the club be in a position to invest in that area again I'm sure we will see developments on the community side. But they are now gone and spilt milk and all that.

Been enough crying and weeping alongside the moaning on here to last a whole season never mind an off season. Forward charge and build up again.

As has been said, I won't lose any sleep over them going.

I go to the matches to watch the rugby and drink beer. That's all.

Can't say I'm bothered by their departure. They add nothing to my game day experience therefore to me they are replaceable. Hell they could change the line up each week and I'd be none the wiser. Can't speak for others though.

Wild Thing and KK you need to look at the bigger picture as perfectly highlighted in DLanghams post. A club needs to engage with its community. The dance teams were great, it was not uncommon to see up to 100 youngsters dancing on match days, engaging them and their parents with the club.

Snipped for space but I agree with you.

I can't say I really watch them but they do add something.
And assuming you are still correct about costs I'd keep them, though taking Elston out of the picture might mean it isn't as good. I don't know.

... and only the pro event dancers can do that?

How much were the club charged for the Dolls services?
This is the point that is important, nobody that i have read on here has criticised the dancing girls (and especially not the kittens) just the Dolls (the brand) in general and the link to one director and his wife.
I think even someone who is so involved as you are (and can see the benefits, both in terms of matchday sales and just enjoyment and pleasure the girls get) can see that with the reckless nature of the management under James and Andrew with the willingness to unpay people for their work and services doesnt show much about their accountability.
Therefore i wouldn't be surprised if this was trousering the Dolls owners a fair wedge, because nobody was watching the detail.

You being a moderator should know you cannot make aspersions based on heresay. You admit you have no idea of what they cost but then go on to suggest that a member of staff "probably trousered a large wedge"

Exactly.