The Cochrane Generals are looking for sponsors to support them in the upcoming 2016/17 Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) season, as they look to go one step further after last year’s heartbreaking defeat to the Mountainview Colts in the HJHL finals.
“We’re always trying to beat down new doors for sponsorship,” said Gens’ president Chase Kinch. “Last year a lot of our regular sponsors either stepped down or brought their donations down because of the economy.”
After last year’s success, Kinch now hopes that more sponsors will come to the club’s aid in light of the Gens’ popularity.
“It’s a great year for us to go out and look for new partners,” he said. “With what happened last season we feel that we can be quite successful in bringing new companies into the fold.”
The Gens have around roughly 50 sponsors (mainly companies and several private individuals) from the Cochrane area, but anyone who wants to help out is welcome and encouraged to do so.
“Our ultimate goal is to receive cash in order to operate,” Kinch said.
He revealed that standard operating costs for a typical Gens’ season roughly add up to around $125,000 depending on whether a team reaches the playoffs and if so, how long it lasts.
“It costs a lot to hold the club together, especially if you make the playoffs like we did last year,” Kinch said. “We mainly look for cash upfront, but there are some companies that want to donate merchandise like jackets or bags.
“Normally we try to persuade people away from doing that, but it truth we are always looking for anything that helps.”
Depending on how much money the Gens get from sponsors depends on whether they can break even at the bank come the end of a specific season. According to Kinch, every year always varies.
“We can be a little above and a little below,” he admitted. “We used to do a casino fundraiser every couple years, but now it’s every three. That was a big chunk of our operating costs, so that’s a downfall now, especially since we’re not doing another one until next year.”
In anticipation for the upcoming season and attracting new sponsors, the club has revamped their sponsorship package, providing new and exciting deals for investors.
“We’ve moved a few things around and are really hoping to work with companies and individuals to see if they have any different ideas that we can exchange to get dialogue going,” Kinch said.
For more information on the club and to check out their sponsorship package, visit www.cochranegenerals.com
