Improvement to Neepawa Natives bottom line

Details

Published on Friday, July 24, 2015

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

The Neepawa Natives generated a slight profit during its most recent financial year. The Manitoba Junior Hockey League club announced a net profit of $33,011 for the 2014-15 season during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 22 at the Yellowhead Centre. Those financial results are an improvement from 2013-2014, when the organization posted a loss of $58,035 and was on the brink of disbanding.

The team’s revenues for the year totalled $339,488, which was up $97,272 from last season, while their expenses also rose, from $300,251 to $306,477. Although the club’s year-over-year finances did move into the black, there remains a fair amount of red on the ledger, as the debt currently stands at $106,633.

For the upcoming financial year, the executive board for the team expects operational spending could be between $227,000 to $292,000, with salaries, equipment purchases and the billet program forecast to be the largest expenditures.

Neepawa Natives board member Cam Tibbett said that while the franchise has somewhat turned a corner in terms of the finances, there are still several challenges that will be faced in order to make the club viable in the long term.

“Last year, there were many donations that came in to support the team. We expect those will be one time things and something that can’t be relied on every year,” said Tibbett. “This year, we’ve hit the streets early, looking to generate support within the community and more corporate sponsors, both inside and outside the community. We also have a decent start at some fundraising projects that could get us over the hump, eliminate the debt and move forward.”

New team governor

Dave Clark has stepped into the role of governor. The position involves attending league board of governors meetings and debating potential rule changes. Clark said he’s proud to be following in the footsteps of former team reps Gaynor Vivian and Dave McIntosh.

“There’s been a history here with this team of great leaders in this position. Gaynor Vivian for many years as governor represented the team well with the team and over the last two year, Dave McIntosh has stepped in as Gaynor’s replacement and I just hope that I’ll be able to step in and fill that role. To be able to take what I know about the team to the [MJHL] Board of Governors and move it in a positive direction. Dave has helped spearhead a lot of changes in his time on the board and I just hope that I will be able to continue on that tradition,” said Clark.

New board members

Also on the agenda at the Natives' AGM was the election for three new members to the board of directors. Ken Waddell, Eoin Devereux and Alan Gillies were added to the board, with Waddell being selected to serve as board president. Incumbents Myles Cathcart, Trevor Lizotte, Mary Ellen-Clark, Mike Hodgins (Secretary) Darian Major, Ross McBride, Daniel McInnes (Treasurer), Mike Bulbuck, Kaiten Critchlow, Rod James and Cam Tibbett (Vice President) were all re-elected. 

1000 Hour Club

A new endeavour being spearheaded by the team is the 1000 hour club initiative. The project will see players volunteering throughout the community during the season and keeping track of its effort to surpass 1000 hours of local service. In the past, players and coaches have spent their off time throughout Neepawa and surrounding communities, helping out at a wide array of functions.

Billets Program

18 beds are in place for the billet program, with several new families volunteering for the upcoming season. During the AGM, it was also announced that the billet fee provided for family to cover the cost of housing the players which aids in the cost  will be increased from $300 to $350. The billet committee is also negotiating with HyLife Foods to purchase pork products at cost to feed the players through to the season.

Alumni Weekend 

The Neepawa Natives have decided to host an alumni weekend to coincide with the annual Sportsman Dinner. Former players, coaches and billets will receive free entry into the team’s home game against the Dauphin Kings on Friday, October 23. Game time is set for 7:30 pm.

On Saturday, October 24 an Alumni Hockey Game will also be placed at 2:00 pm. Following the game will be the Sportsman Dinner, which will feature Reggie Leach and a Don Cherry Impersonator. Half the proceeds from the night will be donated to the Neepawa Natives Hockey Club.

Fundraising

A variety of fundraising options are being considered for the next year. The cash draw lotto, and year-end banquet are confirmed. New endeavours being pursued include a crop project (Harvest for Hockey), a golf tournament, a cabin project and the Trip to Paradise, which would include a draw for a pair of vacation vouchers for up to one thousand dollars a piece.

New third jersey concept

A mockup for a new alternate third jersey was also showcased at the AGM. The sweater is similar to the throwback worn by the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2009 NHL Winter Classic. It features a block N on the chest with the name Natives written in cursive over it. A secondary roundel mark with a block N, the full team name and the year the club joined the Manitoba Junior Hockey League is featured on the shoulders. The team is currently searching for a corporate sponsor for the sweater, though replicas of it will be sold by the club during the season.