Hockey in Belfast is much more than a game, it’s a focal point for progress, a place where differences are laid aside and for a while we look at each other for what unites us, rather than what divides us.
It is fair to say that without one man’s vision, burden and generosity, the Belfast Giants would be something you now only read about. That man is Mr Belfast. Mr Jim Gillespie.
Jim originally became involved with the Giants as a fan, and despite not ever wanting to get caught up in any sports in Northern Ireland he got hooked. He grew up in Belfast and, in 1948 at a very early age, he went through a fiercely traumatic experience at a very infamous sporting event, one that he swore would keep him away from sports in Northern Ireland for good.
After a fifty year plus hiatus from all sporting events, a family outing paved the way for his heartfelt philanthropic gesture, after seeing only one Giants game, he decided that he wanted to be part of what he was witnessing. He immediately approached the ownership to invest in the team. That was in 2002 and three months later when the Giants were on the brink of extinction following the end of the Super League, it was Jim Gillespie who stepped in and saved the franchise, and it is Jim Gillespie who has ensured that the Giants have survived ever since.
"I originally became involved with the Giants because I discovered they were making a difference. For the first time I saw a sports team breaking down the barriers that historically have marred spectator sport in Northern Ireland. On one of my visits home, I went to several games in the Odyssey and was pleasantly surprised to see families from both sides of the divide sitting together enjoying the excitement of professional ice hockey. For someone who grew up in Northern Ireland this was such a heart-warmingly impressive thing to see, people coming together, having a great night out with their families and friends. I decided to get involved."
His sporting legacy leaves the Belfast Giants as one of the true cornerstones of the EIHL. The team that allows it to be a truly UK wide competition, with affiliates the SNL Giants playing in Scotland. Jim has also re-ignited the passion for many mothballed rec teams, mens, womens and childrens alike.
The rinks no longer lie empty after dark, the noise and laughter going into the wee small hours as late scrimmages take place on a nightly basis, and those humble beginnings in the sport have morphed household names in Belfast, local lads suiting up for the Giants themselves, such as Mark Morrison, Graeme Walton and now Gareth Roberts. Further example of how Gillespie’s support has benefitted the sport as a whole in Northern Ireland.
His legacy much more importantly lies in his off-ice contribution. The Giants, using Jim’s ideals, improved the reputation of the brand and the sport in a fractured community, established award winning programmes including a healthy lifestyle and exercise programmes, the Giants Literacy Programme, the Giants Youth Development Programme to name a few, working with at-risk youths & disadvantaged children, and getting into communities that don’t have a lot of positive influences surrounding them. These programmes are designed and administered by volunteers along with the players who deliver the programmes and get involved with the projects. In fact, every Giants player for the last seven years has had a “Jim clause” in their contract that stipulates that they will be doing at least two community programme sessions a week. If a player does not want to get involved, they simply do not become Belfast Giants.
“The principal behind what we do in Belfast is all Jim Gillespie’s vision,” said General Manager Todd Kelman who has worked as General Manager for the past 6 years.
“Each year, we tell all our players that this will be the most important team they will ever play on, not because of what we hope to achieve on the ice, but what we know we are committed to achieving off the ice. We get better people on our team because of that. Our guys understand Jim’s vision and to this day, it continues.
“The Giants commitment to the communities and in particular the children of Northern Ireland is Jim’s legacy, much more than any championship we have won with him as an owner.”
Jim Gillespie owned the Giants for 10 years and under his ownership, the Giants won two EIHL League Titles, two playoff titles, a Knock-Out Cup and a Challenge Cup.
Compiled by Davy McGimpsey and Patrick Smyth.
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1 - Gordie Poirer
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2 - Keith 'Duke' Campbell
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64 - Mick Curry
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75 - Vic Batchelder
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76 - Jim Lynch
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77 - Chris Kelland
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78 - Ian Cooper
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81 - Stephen Cooper
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86 - Annette and Allan Petrie
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88 - Kevin Conway
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89 - Tom 'Tuck' Syme
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97 - Scott Neil
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99 - Joanne Collins
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100 - Johnny Oxley
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111 - Rob Wilson
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