By Jamie Schaab – Merritt Herald
Aug 08 2007
The Cents have ignited the career of many athletes, and now the club is molding a different kind of player.
TheMerritt Centennials recently established their board of directors forthe 2007/08 season. About half the membership is comprised of individuals new to the organization or people stepping up from other volunteer positions. While making the transition, the directors also had to address the void left from the resignation of marketing manager Keegan Goodrich. Club president Brian Wiebe, exiting director of marketing Don Jones, and new marketing director Patrick Lindsay decided to give Ashley Neuls a shot at filling the gap.
“I think they're taking a chance on me, and I appreciate that,” Neuls says.
Neuls has volunteered for the organization since high school. She admits she doesn't have an extensive marketing background, but is pleased the board recognizes the experience she gained working alongside Goodrich on the marketing front last year.
“It's great for me because it's the organization I grew up around and it gave me my love of hockey and sports,” she says.
Neuls has been working at Mandolin's Bagel and Coffee House since last September, but she will devote her time entirely to the hockey club for the summer.
“I have so much work to do in so little time,” she says.
She points out that many of her duties should have started in April,so she has to play a little catch up. But with the competent leaders Neuls has backing her, she is confident the challenge can be met.
Neuls will be working alongside Patrick Lindsay, who brings to the organization many years of marketing experience, and duo plan to make the team much more visible in community this season.
“I'm really excited that she has decided to take on this challenge,”Lindsay says. “She's volunteered hours like no one can believe.”
Neuls plans to use this opportunity as a stepping stone to launch acareer in the field. She might eventually pursue a formal education,but for now she is content with the hands-on training the hockey club is providing.
Her first challenge is to meet the season ticket sales bar Lindsay has set for this coming season. Last year, the team sold 264, and Neuls will try to reach the 500 mark during her first term.
The marketing team also plans to focus their attention on making the games a three-hour event that offers something for everybody.
“I'm really excited,” Neuls says. “I'm nervous — but excited.”
Aside from the long hours Neuls has already put in with the team, Lindsay also values the fact that she is a local girl with ties to the community. Neuls is also pleased with the arrangement, as she can continue to cheer on her favourite team while embarking on a new career.
