UNITY - The Unity Miners have been part of the hockey community for more than six decades. There have been some milestone moments that included provincial and league championship wins as well as playing host to the Allan Cup in 1996.
However, the team is at great risk of folding due to lack of volunteers to keep the club operating. At present, there are three mainstay executive members that include Brian Woytiuk, Jake Senger and Collette Lacoursiere. All three of these people have indicated this is their last year at the helm after multiple years of commitment.
There are a multitude of tasks to be completed in order for this senior team to operate each year. A plea was put on social media for interested volunteers to attend a meeting to get some sort of succession planning as well as get things rolling for this season. Only two rookie players showed up and while their interest was commendable, players cannot serve in some of the roles that need filling while the game is on.
A Miners’ club spokesperson said, “We are very lucky that Jake does most of the off-season work lining up players and getting commitments. Kavi from the town office has graciously agreed to look after our books and finances. Former player, Curt McLean, has agreed to staying on announcing games.”
The Miners say they would be also at a great disadvantage without the commitment of Peter Gartner and Jim Lee who look after 95 per cent of the Fun Day of Golf fundraiser. The duo has also stepped up to help with fundraising, odds and ends when needed. Both of these gentlemen were former club executive for many years.
What people may not realize is the job list during the season requires many hands to help with the toolbox of tasks. The travelling van needs attention to maintenance and safety as well as preparation for out-of-town games. Fundraising such as score squares, 50/50, sponsorship seeking all needs bodies to help contribute. League meetings need a team representative, and all of these tasks listed here are things players cannot do. Miner’s volunteers say talking around the league, it seems like Unity is the only team that has an issue with volunteers.
While this trio, along with solicited additional help, will do what they can, how they can this year they assure hockey fans and the community, there simply will be no team next year if there is no interest in coming on board.
The team also currently has no coaches which means players will be filling this role, and understandably, this is not an easy task during a game.
“This team has so many young, local players right now and in line for next year. It would be a sad shame if there is no local team for them to play on,” affirms Miner’s spokesperson.
So once again it is up the community to step up or risk losing a decades long senior hockey team in the community as a result of apathy. Will it be you helping out or will the team be trapped in the tunnel of things that once were.
