PRIDE: Clan & Purple Army donate £1520 to Pride Glasgow

NEXT HOME GAME: It’s another HUGE game in the race for the playoffs THIS SATURDAY (7:00pm face-off) when the Guildford Flames come to Braehead Arena. Buy your tickets NOW online HERE, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office (Thursday 12 noon to 9pm, Friday 12 noon to 5pm and Saturday 10am to face-off).

The Glasgow Clan are delighted to announce that a donation of £1520.00 will be made to Pride Glasgow on the back of our successful Pride game against the Fife Flyers.

It was the first EIHL pride weekend and has been hailed as a success as many local partners and charities to teams across the EIHL have benefited not only financially but have also gained awareness on the back of the “You can play” campaign.

The EIHL had suggested that teams source their own, preferably local partners for the event so that the benefits from hosting the weekend can be felt most in the communities that the teams play in.

Glasgow Clan partnered up with the team from Pride Glasgow who run the biggest annual LGBTQ+ festival in Scotland, where thousands come to celebrate LGBT equality.

Glasgow Clan’s Chief Operating Officer Gareth Chalmers has praised the weekend’s impact “It’s been an important weekend for the Elite League and has really drawn attention to the inclusiveness and lack of discrimination in the sport.

“The Purple Army can take a lot of pride from this weekend as they were the ones to kick start the entire campaign with their efforts at the playoffs last year.

“Ice hockey in the UK has never felt more inclusive, from the stands to the benches. It has been important to draw attention to the fact that the LGBTQ+ community are welcome as hockey fans and players.

“Nothing demonstrates the importance and need for these types of events more than former Clansman Zach Sullivan’s recent public declaration of his sexuality.

“It’s been great to work with Pride Glasgow and get involved with such a large grassroots movement that’s based so locally to us.

“Thank you to Chris, Gary, Ann and the team from Pride that came along on the day and supported the event”.

Pride Glasgow Chairman Chris Tait stated “Pride Glasgow are extremely proud to have been invited to link up with Glasgow Clan.

“At the recent Pride night weekend, I loved seeing the arena full of people celebrating not only Clan’s great victory over their fierce rivals but to see so many people celebrating Pride.

“I would like to thank Glasgow Clan and their supporters for the warm welcome they gave myself, Ann and Logan when we entered the ice for the ceremonial puck drop.

“On the night Glasgow Clan kindly invited along 50 of our volunteers who take part in our Pride Life programme, many of whom had never seen an Ice Hockey game before and many of whom have said they will come back due to the warm welcome we received (and a great game!).

“We thank Glasgow Clan for donating proceeds from the jersey auction to us, as a charity this is very much appreciated. We plan on using this donation to fund more Pride Life Activities with our volunteers.

“Pride Life is a programme that Pride Glasgow have been running for 5 years, which provides our 200+ volunteers with training, monthly social activities and skills for those looking for work, education, etc.

“The support of the Purple Army this weekend will not quickly be forgotten by the LGBTQ+ community“.

The EIHL pride weekend is predicted to become a yearly event, so keep an eye out next season for further details.