The Sarnia Sting was awarded the Builder
Award at the Lambton Jr. Sting AAA Hockey Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony
last Friday. The Lambton Jr. Sting AAA Hockey Association held their Annual Awards
Ceremony at the RBC Centre’s
photo courtesy of Sarnia Sports
Hive Bar & Grill last Friday, April 11th. Among the excitement, the Sarnia Sting was acknowledged for their years of ongoing financial support/assistance and were presented with the 2013-14 Builder Award.
Director of Hockey Operations, Bill Abercrombie was in attendance to accept the award on behalf of the Organization. “It’s very important for us as a franchise to find ways that we can help build the sport of hockey in the Sarnia-Lambton Community,” says Abercrombie. “The financial assistance we provide to the Jr. Sting helps offset the cost of registration and this is undoubtedly an initiative that we believe to be worthwhile. We try and get involved as much as we can to keep the organization top class.”
Since moving to Sarnia, the Sting organization has made a constant effort to support hockey development in the local community. Over the years, the hockey club has donated in excess of $360,000 to the Lambton AAA hockey organization to help fund the STEVA program, player development, coaches’ education, jerseys and equipment.
Lambton Jr. Sting AAA Hockey Association President, Mike Kelly speaks to the importance of this partnership. “Our relationship with the Sting is integral to the program simply because we are such a small zone. The support we have received is not only monetary; Bill and the Sting have been essential in attracting highly valued coaches to our system.” Kelly goes on to state, “The relationship between us and the franchise has never been better. We wanted to present the Sting with this award as a way of recognizing their help and support over the years, and ultimately to say thank you.”
The current arrangement sees the Sarnia Sting donate $24,000 to Lambton Jr. Sting AAA each season. All things considered, this works out to approximately $300 of registration cost relief per player each season.