Edmonton youth soccer coach sought on fraud charges arrested by RCMP in Sherwood Park

An Edmonton youth soccer coach who vanished after the team raised  $40,000 in funds for a tournament in the U.S. is facing a mountain of fraud charges but remains on the lam.

Randy Knodel, 46, of Sherwood Park is charged with 12 counts of fraud including seven counts of fraud over $5,000 and five counts of fraud under $5,000 as well as a charge of uttering a forged document, say city police and court paper.

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Edmonton police on Sunday also said law enforcement is still searching for Knobel.

“None of us have heard from him, or know where he’s at,” said Adam Scorgie, the father of Beckham, one of the kids on the team.

The South Edmonton U-11 Tier 1 select team was scheduled to depart for Las Vegas on Feb. 14 for an international tournament, but in the days leading up to departure, parents started to have questions and soon found out that roughly $40,000 was missing from the team account, with no flights, hotels or tournament fees registered or paid for.

Meanwhile, Knobel, the team’s head coach had disappeared.

‘Positive mindset’

After their initial shock, parents and kids from the team started a GoFundMe, with almost $60,000 raised in a matter of a couple days.

“We’re so fortunate that we took a positive mindset with it, and man, did the city ever step up,” said Scorgie.

“It’s a great lesson… that in a bad situation, let’s show these kids if we can really focus on the positive of what you can really (accomplish).”

Scorgie said the team plans to stick together next season, and will meet with the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association on Monday to iron out details so they can stay together and take part in a future tournament in Las Vegas, one they worked so hard the past three years to fundraise for to attend.

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“We did some more research, and we found an even better and more suitable tournament in Vegas that happens in October that we’re going to take them to,” said Scorgie.

Community support

The outpouring of support from Edmontonians and businesses in and out of the soccer community that stepped up to help the kids in the wake of this ordeal has been heartwarming, added Scorgie

He said a travel company that has experience organizing trips for soccer teams reached out to help them plan, and they’ve offered to waive the commission fee.

The team plans to use leftover funds to help pay soccer registration fees for kids who need it, as well as donate funds to soccer programs in need around the city.

Scorgie who owns a local film production company, plans to create a ‘Thank You’ video for all of Edmonton and those who helped the team when they were down and out.

“It’s incredible, all the positivity that’s come out of this, and that’s what we should be focused on,” said Scorgie.

jhills@postmedia.com

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