New era In Port Hawkesbury
Strait Pirates now owned by community
A new era of junior hockey in the Strait area has officially begun.
For the first time in the team’s 53-year history, the Strait Pirates are now owned by the community.
The unique initiative was restructured by the organization and finalized by members of the executive during the team’s annual general meeting on March 27.
Members of the community now have the opportunity to be part of the team’s ownership group. For $100 a season, $50 for students, community members will receive a number of benefits, including having a vote at the team’s annual general meeting.
Adam Rodgers, who was recently named the team’s president, said the club felt the community ownership/ membership would be a way of increasing the level of engagement with the team.
“Being a voting member is an incentive for people to stay more engaged and interested in the activities and successes of the team,” he said. “Knowing
that they will have a say on the direction of the team, we hope, lead people to feel both the privilege and responsibility of ownership.”
“The community has really embraced this approach,” said Rodgers. “There is tremendous goodwill within the community for the Pirates”
Rodgers said he hasn’t seen any such membership strategy tried in the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League or with other teams in the region.
“The Green Bay Packers (NFL) have a similar structure, though obviously on a much larger scale,” he said.
In recent years, the Pirates have had trouble drawing fans to the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, the team’s home arena. The executive is hoping the new community ownership/membership
plan will help with getting people into the rink.
“It’s no secret that a winning team will draw more fans, so that is certainly one of our goals,” said Rodgers. “We also want to create stronger connections with the minor hockey systems in the Strait region to ensure that players and their parents see the Pirates as an aspirational goal for them in their hockey careers.”
“The most important thing for me is for people to be able to come to the Civic Centre and enjoy an entertaining night out with their families,” said Rodgers. “Having more members will allow us to do more to make the game experience even more entertaining.” The Strait Pirates are one of the longest-running junior ‘B’ hockey teams in Canada. The team was formed by a group headed by Tiger Mackie in 1964.
Over the years, the Pirates have won a number of league championships, the most recent being in 2002.
This year, the Pirates finished fourth in the Sid Rowe Division with a 7-19-2-5 record. The team was swept in the first round of the NSJHL playoffs by the Kameron Jr. Miners.
Currently the team has sold over 40 community ownership/ memberships, already more than the total season ticket holders from the 2016-17 season.
“It’s great considering that most people buy their season tickets just before the season starts,” said Rodgers.
Joining Rogers on the team’s executive this season are Joan Burke, vice-president, Kelly McIntyre-Hayes, treasurer, and Lance Hawley, secretary. Meanwhile, other board members include Shaun MacDonald, Cody MacKeigan, Jennifer MacDonnell, Cameron MacEachern and Bob MacDonald.
The annual general meeting also saw Tim MacMillan, former head coach and general manager of the team a few years ago, be appointed as the new general manager. Brad Raike and Brian Tracey will be the assistant general managers. A new head coach for the team has yet to be announced.
The new executive has already started planning for next season. The group is currently looking at the team’s budget, ways to connect with stakeholders such as the local business community and Pirates alumni.
The team also plans to introduce a mascot to the fans next year as well as enhance the club’s social media aspects.
Rodgers encourages people to consider the option of being part of the membership.
“Becoming a member of the Pirates is a great value,” he said. “For $100 you get a season pass, you get to support great local athletes competing for a proud franchise, all while becoming an owner of a real hockey team.”
For more information about the community ownership/ membership, visit www.straitpirates.ca/piratemembership. pdf.