WINNIPEG, MB – Winnipeg’s professional sports teams are coming together to take part in a joint initiative later this year with a simple message for its fans: hate is not welcome here.
The Winnipeg Sea Bears, the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Valour FC, and the Winnipeg Goldeyes, will all take part through dedicating one game during their upcoming regular seasons to this initiative.
“Sport unites people,” said Rob Berkowits, spokesperson for the initiative. “It brings together people from all different walks of life to share a common experience, a love, for a team.”
Both Rainbow Resource Centre and Folklorama are also on board as partners in this campaign, helping spread this message even further.
“The message from the Winnipeg Sea Bears is simple: hate is not welcome here. It never will be. Our whole organization is proud to be part of an initiative that sends this message loud and clear,” said David Asper, owner of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.
“There isn’t a better platform to share this powerful message than through our city’s professional sports teams.”
For each selected games, complimentary blocks of tickets will be distributed to various groups and organizations. Through the leadership of Winnipeg’s local professional sports clubs and supporting organizations, this powerful message will curb the hate epidemic affecting so many people of all backgrounds, faiths, genders, and sexual orientations.
“There’s an indescribable feeling you get from being at a live sporting event that cannot be duplicated anywhere else,” Berkowits continued. “We love and look up to our professional sports teams. We listen to them. We trust them.”
Donors to this initiative, coordinated by the Rady JCC, include Ruth and David Asper, Cheryl and Earl Barish, Joanne and Sam Katz of Kay Four Properties, Sandra and Sheldon Earn, as well as both The Mark & Dorothy Danzker Trust and The Grosberg Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
“Together, as fans, as Winnipeggers, and as fellow human beings, we will do our small part to end hate, making it not welcome here.”
The Winnipeg Sea Bears' Hate is Not Welcome Here game will take place on June 15th at 7 p.m. at Canada Life Centre. For tickets, please go to http://www.seabears.ca.