Hi Stars fans,
I hope everyone is well and keeping safe!
In the past few days, we have received confirmation of a grant from the Scottish Government funding package, to aid operational losses that the club have faced from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last 12 months, we have worked closely with SportScotland and we are extremely grateful for the support that they have shown ourselves and the sport of ice hockey, during this time.
The national agency understands the ongoing growth of the Stars and recognises the importance of the club as an asset in the community. With the Stars being one of the fastest growing professional sports club in Scotland, we believe the support was needed but also very much justified.
The funding is a significant financial shock-absorber and will aid the Club in getting back on its feet. SportScotland’s support will not only help the professional hockey set-ups in the country, but also the participation levels on a grassroot stage and we look forward to preserving a strong relationship locally.
We will be working closely with them to keep growing the sport and push new boundaries in the future to make the overall sport bigger and stronger. A big thank you to all the members of SportScotland and we hope, they will be able to come experience a live game in Dundee next season.
Of course, the funding coincides with the wonderful support that our loyal fanbase and corporate sponsors continue to provide. The generosity of supporters, who decided to allow the Club to retain their season ticket money from this mothballed season, have provided a foundation of funds ready for the re-launch of ice hockey.
These safeguarded reserves have given the club a great level of confidence and reassurance as we get set to plan ahead for the start of the new campaign.
Numerous fans have asked when the club will we advertise season tickets? At this point and time, we are awaiting more government announcements before we create our season ticket strategy, which will include an early bird period as normal.
As a Club we have tried to be as innovative as possible through engaging ideas and the success of these projects is down to the buy-in from our supporters. Our Gold Club membership levels continue to grow on a weekly basis and the sales of our virtual SOTB and 50/50 have been fantastic.
Our silent legends shirt auctions have also proved to be extremely popular, and supporters can still bid for an away Legends jersey, which is live until Sunday 4th April at 12pm. I can’t wait to see fans rocking these jerseys in the DIA next season!
It is exciting to see pro hockey set to get back underway in the Elite Series. I must say it is disappointing that we are not taking place in the tournament, however taking many factors into account, this just wasn’t a viable option for the Stars at this time.
Nonetheless, this is an extremely exciting way to re-launch hockey in the UK and I am sure fans will be tuning in from across the country to catch some much-needed action!
I was absolutely delighted to see our very own Craig Garrigan being drafted to the tournament by the Nottingham Panthers. Craig’s growth since he arrived at the Club has been fantastic and the Panthers have a hard working, talented player on their hands. He is a guy that loves the sport and wants to give himself the chance to get competitive hockey under his belt.
For the rest of our home grown players, despite not playing in the series, we will be looking to get them back on the ice here in Dundee, once we have been given the green light, that it is safe to do so and give them invaluable time on the ice.
Moving forward, our overall on-ice strategy will align with the relevant government announcements and with the evident progression through case reductions and the vaccine roll out, it is our hope that we will be ready to commence season 2021/22 in September.
As always, we will continue to work hard behind the scenes to make sure that we will be ready to welcome you back, so you can do what you do best….. cheer on the Stars in the DIA!
Pach
