Ex-Canuck government Chris Gear launches Vancouver sports activities startup Blackfin

Article content material

Might Vancouver be a good larger sports-event city that it already is?

Article content material

We’ve hosted the Olympics. We’ve hosted the Gray Cup many instances over. FIFA has come right here and shall be again once more. We’ve had our moments with sports activities like golf and rugby.

Article content material

Our numerous professional sports activities groups have seen highs and lows.

It’s an atmosphere that continues to be fertile for giant occasions and the neighborhood constructing they’ll empower, and that’s what former Canucks and Vanoc government Chris Gear sees as he begins up his personal sports activities consultancy firm.

“Clearly, you take a look at what’s coming down the pipe, you’ve received Invictus, you’ve received FIFA, you’ve received the Gray Cup,” he mentioned.

“Vancouver has a protracted historical past of placing on profitable occasions.”

Gear, who was an assistant common supervisor with the Canucks earlier than he was fired by possession in December 2021, has began Blackfin Sports activities Group, which he describes as “a complete sports activities and leisure consulting company.” The operation additionally features a regulation agency.

Article content material

Article content material

“One factor individuals all the time attempt to do with occasions is break it right down to {dollars} and cents, however individuals miss a pair parts: There’s the civic satisfaction component and there’s the human growth side. We constructed so many leaders at Vanoc who’re out locally now, doing nice issues.”

Gear spent the final 12 months writing about hockey for Each day Faceoff, but additionally did some consulting work for the Canadian Olympic Committee on its effort to launch a bid for 2030 Winter Olympics.

Alternatives in hockey and different sports activities additionally introduced themselves however Gear, who’s elevating a household in Richmond, finally determined he didn’t wish to transfer wherever else.

“I didn’t wish to be chasing AGM jobs round North America,” he mentioned. “That is house. How do I discover a option to keep concerned within the work I really feel keen about?”

Article content material

And that’s why he began this new consultancy.

“Folks have recognized me because the GM of the Canucks for the final two years however for the 20 years earlier than that, I used to be simply making offers,” he mentioned.

Gear was employed by the Canucks in 2010, after six years with Vanoc. And earlier than, whereas he was an affiliate with Blakes, he was common counsel to the Air Canada Championship for 4 years.

Gear is aware of the workforce/occasion/competitors facet of sport effectively. And now he sees an opportunity to assist organizations on the opposite facet of the aisle, say a neighborhood non-profit seeking to affiliate itself with a sports activities model navigate its far more successfully.

And his purchasers don’t should be native, both; Gear has already secured contracts on the worldwide scene, utilizing his long-standing world contacts.

“While you’re doing enterprise with sports activities groups, I can deliver expertise, might help you to raised work with groups or particular person athletes,” he mentioned. “I’m hoping I become involved in a number of various things.”

Article content material

As a part of his operation, Gear has secured the help of numerous former colleagues, together with former Canucks COO Trent Carroll, former Canucks and Vanoc head of communications Chris Brumwell and Ella Chan, who labored for the Canucks as effectively however is now COO of Pedalheads, which presents bicycle and swim camps to youngsters throughout North America.

There’s additionally George Duncan, the CEO of the Richmond Olympic Oval; Ali Gardiner, who has led model and advertising groups for Vanoc, the Canucks and Cactus Eating places; and Janeil Mackay, who has lengthy expertise in sports activities merchandising and retail.

Gear additionally has former Canucks captain and president Trevor Linden and Olympic gold medal-winning speedskater Christine Nesbitt concerned.

Article content material

Brumwell has discovered a lot since he was let go by the Canucks. Earlier this 12 months, he began up his personal community-building and communications consultancy. He agrees with Gear’s view on the alternatives forward for Vancouver as a sports activities city.

“I feel Vancouver is positioned to be one of many premier sports activities cities on the earth given the historical past now we have and the experience that we he have. There’s confidence right here based mostly on the success we’ve had in internet hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Video games,” Brumwell mentioned.

“Take a look at what’s coming, like Invictus. Or the Laver Cup, which is the most important tennis occasion we’ve ever had in Western Canada alone, I feel,” he added.

“The sports activities trade has progressed a lot within the final 10 years. There are such a lot of extra good gifted individuals working in sport. And there’s alternative. Every one in every of these occasions, they arrive into city and so they have an enormous constructive impression.”

[email protected]

twitter.com/risingaction

Summer time subscription sale: Our in-depth journalism is feasible due to the help of our subscribers. For a restricted time, you will get full on-line entry to the Vancouver Solar and The Province, together with the Nationwide Publish and 13 different Canadian information websites, for simply $40 for one 12 months or $1 every week for 52 weeks. Help our journalism by subscribing as we speak: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.

Article content material