Thunder backers planning booster club

For Eugene McPherson, it’s all about improving the bottom line while accentuating the positive.
McPherson is spearheading a group of local people who want to help right the financial ship of the Borderland Thunder by creating an independent booster club.
The proposed organization will provide a support network for the Couchiching First Nation-owned team that will be centered around fundraising and fan friendliness.
“We want to not only assist financially with the Thunder, but give some good news items to be read about the team,” said McPherson.
“We don’t want to interfere with the operations of the Thunder themselves,” he stressed. “We want to showcase the players and work with the club.”
Last week, it was made public that the Thunder had suffered losses of more than $122,000 in its first two years of operation as of this past March, although Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson stressed that deficit had been reduced by roughly $40,000-$50,000 since then.
Eugene McPherson said yesterday morning that a letter had been drafted by his group seeking permission from Couchiching’s band council to create the booster club—and use the team’s logo to help with its marketing strategy.
He expected to receive the council’s decision either Tuesday or later Wednesday (there was no word by press time Tuesday night).
If permission is granted, McPherson planned to arrange an initial meeting between the booster club and band council before the end of this week.
“There’s people from not only in Fort Frances, but throughout the district, that come to these games,” said McPherson, describing what he feels is the wide-ranging impact of the Thunder to this region.
Some of the club’s plans include:
•acquiring sponsorship of a Thunder Player-of-the-Week, which could run in the Times;
•the establishment of a skills competition for Thunder players which would be open to the public, such as the type done by all NHL teams; and
•a host of exhibition games, with all proceeds going to charities of the Thunder’s choice.
Thunder general manager Brent Tookenay was upbeat about the concept of the booster club, as well as the positive effect it may have on the team and the community.
“It’s really encouraging—people love [booster clubs],” said Tookenay. “Everyone likes getting involved.
“We’ve got a lot of people who want to volunteer their time, but don’t know what to do,” he noted. “This gives them a chance to do something. I hope I can help out in some way, too.”
(Fort Frances Times)