Winnipeg sports teams including Jets and Moose unite for ‘Hate not welcome here’ initiative

The six pro sports teams of Winnipeg (Jets, Moose, Bombers, Goldeyes, Seabears and Valour FC) are teaming up together on this initiative.

Here was the release from Rob Berkowits explaining what it is:

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 Jets, the Manitoba Moose, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Valour FC, the Winnipeg Sea Bears, 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.

“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.”

This will be when the games are scheduled:

Thursday, June 15, 2023
Winnipeg Sea Bears vs Brampton Honey Badgers at 7:00 PM

Sunday, July 16, 2023
Winnipeg Goldeyes vs Cleburne Railroaders at 1:00 PM

Thursday, August 3, 2023
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs B.C. Lions at 7:30 PM

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Valour FC vs Vancouver FC at 7:00 PM

October 2023*
Manitoba Moose home game

November 2023*
Winnipeg Jets home game
* 2023/2024 AHL and NHL schedules not yet released