Athletics play for charity

BILL POTRECZ

POSTMEDIA NETWORK

The Thorold Athletics have come up with a unique way for fans to experience their product.

The Allan Cup Hockey organization will be offering complimentary admission to home games with a donation at the door. All money collected will be donated to charity.

The Athletics are able to offer the complimentary admission thanks to a different corporate sponsor for all 12 of the senior team’s home games at Thorold Community Arena.

We want to be a community-based team.”

Athletics president Dave Marrone

“We want to give people value and provide great, affordable, family entertainment ” Athletics president Dave Marrone said. “The sponsors buy in because it’s a great brand of hockey and there is a substantial amount of money that can be raised for a charity.”

Marrone, who previously was part of a group which owned the Thorold Blackhawks junior B team, is well aware how saturated the hockey market is in Niagara.

“We want to be a communitybased team,” he said. “We’re a team for Niagara. Even though we’re Thorold, we’re a regional team. We have to go outside the box. There is a lot of competition with regional junior B, the IceDogs and pro hockey.”

“We looked as some successful models like an Art Park or Pelham bandshell-style, where they have a lot of people, the admission was free, and they partnered with a charity.