Wed 9 Nov 2022 - 3:43PM
A MESSAGE FROM CEO OMAR PACHA
Hi Panthers fans,
I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for another big weekend of hockey. It has been a hectic start to the season and the work behind the scenes keeps intensifying daily. We have taken big steps forwards in many areas, with different events, promotions, fan interaction and content for you, our fans. Our media team has had different creative ideas that seem to have made a very positive impact which I am very pleased to see. I want to ensure you all get to see behind the scenes of our organisation more and for the players to be able to bring their personalities off the ice to you in essence.
Slowly but surely we are getting where we want to be as a club. We have trialled different interactions with fans during the game and I truly think our initiatives from the off-ice team is one of the main reasons the atmosphere inside the arena has been progressive on a game-by-game basis.
On the ice, the results have been mixed, but I know first-hand that the group are excited and motivated for the challenges that lie ahead. Like most teams, our group has been struggling slightly with consistency, which is something every coach, including our own, will be working hard to rectify as we speak. I am convinced Gary and the players are driven and motivated to get playing a more consistent 60 minutes every night. Our past three home games have been something to build on, so I am hoping for more of the same this Saturday night in our massive league game against Belfast Giants.
Last Sunday, we hosted our first Kids for a Quid game and it was a great success with different activities around the arena. We were over the moon to see the smiles on childrens faces and adults too. The pre-game activities that had been arranged were welcomed by many and we would like to thank the Motorpoint Arena and Young Cardinal Tattoo for their help and efforts in making the activities possible and overall ensuring it was a huge success.
It has to be said, it was a great response by our fans too as the atmosphere on Sunday was fantastic and I couldn’t be happier with the teams’ efforts, especially with our young British netminder Matty Bloor. He did a fantastic job to cover for Alex Dubeau and he got his first top-flight win. I know he will remember this win for a long time and the reaction from the crowd was sensational for him, which I know Matthew really appreciated. Atmosphere is often dictated by what you, the fans, are watching. When you see fast, physical and engaged hockey, you naturally are uplifted and that is the job of the coach and every player who pulls on the Panthers jersey every game to ensure that intensity is brought.
Post-game last Sunday, we had our first signing session with the players and it was great to see a crowded Saltbox full of Panthers fans, including some new fans too. The team spent nearly two hours signing autographs and thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone. It was a night to remember for sure.
This coming Saturday at the arena, we will be hosting our annual Remembrance Day when we play the Belfast Giants. This year, we are planning to make the night bigger and better than ever before as we will be welcoming around 200 members of the armed services to the game.
Furthermore, I couldn’t be happier to confirm, we will finally be hanging up our retired jerseys. As a club, you always want to create new memories for fans but, for me, it’s just as important to remember the great legends that have helped establish the Panthers as being one of the most successful clubs in the UK. We are delighted that the retired jerseys will be in a prime location, next to the Gary Moran banner at the stage end, for everyone to remember our Nottingham Panthers legends.
All in all, we have now entered an exciting new month on and off-the-ice. There will be lots taking place in the arena during the games, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled on our website and social media channels to find out about our upcoming plans and activities. For now, I look forward to seeing and hearing our amazing Panthers fans at this Saturday’s game versus the Belfast Giants at 7pm. It's always a high-octane fixture between both sides, which makes it a great match for you to introduce new people to the sport we all love, so keep spreading the word to your friends, families and work colleagues.
See you all Saturday at the arena!
Thank you and speak soon,
Omar