Good morning to all sports enthusiasts, fellow islanders, and Victorian brethren. Salute to everybody that clicked the post today & took the time to rock with Back Page Athletics. After many months of contemplation, I have finally decided to launch an official Sports Blog, and thus here we are. Why, Kay? Well, to be proper,…
Good morning to all sports enthusiasts, fellow islanders, and Victorian brethren. Salute to everybody that clicked the post today & took the time to rock with Back Page Athletics.
After many months of contemplation, I have finally decided to launch an official Sports Blog, and thus here we are.
Why, Kay?
Well, to be proper, I’ve dedicated the last 12 months of my creative life to loyally covering my hometown Western Hockey League team, the Victoria Royals. In doing so, I’ve gained a loyal base of readers, met many incredible people, and also fallen in love with the Victoria Harbourcats of the West Coast (Baseball) League.
Despite my feverish passion for writing, community, & sport, my blog, The Royals Report, was less a blog and more so just me posting Notes to my Twitter account.
Did it serve its purpose? 100%
Did it help build my confidence & sharpen my pen? Undeniably.
Was it a brand to build upon & stand behind? Maybe not.
So, with that expressed, this post is us officially taking a massive step forward in the world of local & independent sports journalism.
So, what exactly can you expect from Back Page Athletics?
At this point, on Day One, BPA will serve as the home base for a two-headed Blog-monster.
Scary? Not so much.
Two-Headed Monster —
I could not be any more stoked to launch my first Season covering the beloved Victoria Harbourcats. Not only is this top-tier local organization a complete Wagon of success that regularly produces Big League Talent, but this is also the 10th Anniversary Season for this incredible organization. How could this summer be even more hype? This off-season, the WCL officially became a developmental league for Major League Baseball, thus propelling the credibility of this club to heights never seen before. So, what can you expect from BPA? Weekly Think-Tank articles, Players & Coach interviews, In-Game content, Franchise lore & historical moments, and intensive Alumni coverage all year round.
I fully intend on taking The Royals Report to a whole new level moving forward into the 2023/24 campaign. Despite not posting as much content as I would’ve hoped for last season due to family & health limitations, I’m eager to completely blow the doors off & ramp up my coverage tenfold. Despite the lingering sting from another season without playoff hockey on the Island, I am more pumped for the ‘23/24 schedule than I probably should, and that’s called being an enthusiast. Let’s go, Royals. New reports will be coming soon.
Without taking up too much of your Easter weekend, I wanted to end this inaugural essay by stating the following.
With the creation of Back Page Athletics, I’m passionately looking forward to the future of my reporting full of fire & inspiration in the hopes of helping to bring the already impressive Island sports media to the next level.
With that said, expect an inaugural The Cats Report article or two dropping next week and many more to follow. It’s going to be a scene, y’all.
In conclusion, I’d like to thank you all in advance for reading & following BPA. I honestly can’t wait to write for & cheer with you all, while also having the opportunity to get to know all of you during this upcoming year & beyond. Let’s take this Sporting community to the next level.
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VICTORIA, BC — Teamwork is needed in fighting fires, as it is on a baseball diamond.
It’s also needed in the community — and that’s why the Victoria Firefighters Association Local 730 of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the West Coast League’s Victoria HarbourCats, along with the collegiate Victoria Golden Tide of the CCBC, are teaming up for a meaningful symbolic partnership that will run through the 2025 season.
“With the recent devastation we are seeing in Los Angeles, and the wildfires that have decimated areas on our side of the border — I think of Jasper this past summer, among others — it’s important for us all to show support for those who do the dangerous work of keeping us safe,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “We are open supporters of all first responders and military in our area, the people who take the risk to serve our communities.
“Victoria firefighters are true heroes in our community, and deserve our thanks, respect and recognition.”
The IAFF membership across North America includes more than 350,000 who put themselves in harm’s way to save lives and property — the very definition of teamwork.
This summer, HarbourCats players will wear Victoria Firefighter Union hats during batting practice and workouts, and will choose selected games to take them into action. The Golden Tide will do the same this spring with college home games in the CCBC.
The hats will be produced locally by HarbourCats merchandise and apparel partner Passion Sports, located in downtown Victoria on Government Street, working with General Manager Dylan Marsden and owner Greg Wallis.
“Our people truly appreciate the support we get from so many people in the community, and the HarbourCats have been strong partners for so many,” said Union president Jeremy Wilson. “We will be proud to see our logo on the field with both the HarbourCats and Golden Tide.”
The fires in LA have been a stark reminder to all how important it is to do all we can to be ready for anything — the devastation of such a populated area has stunned everyone.
The Golden Tide start their season in late March, while the HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and three “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.
ATTENTION 2024 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS: If you have not already done so, please renew your seats for 2025 so that they can be locked into the new ticketing system. Season Tickets will be sent to all members electronically this season on April 1, 2025, perhaps sooner. Any seats not renewed by that time will be released and placed back into the system. Contact Christian at the office at 778-265-0327 to renew.
For more information, contact:
Christian Stewart, GM, Victoria HarbourCats chris@harbourcats.com
Jeremy Wilson, President, Victoria Firefighters Union presidentlocal730@gmail.com
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