Sport enthusiasts in the Niagara Region have an exciting summer to look forward to as Niagara’s summer sport teams are back and so is an international championship.
Welland Jackfish
The 2023 Intercounty Baseball League Champions return to The Pond looking to win back-to-back championships.
The Jackfish kick off their 2024 title defence on May 17th in London before playing their home opener on the 18th against the Barrie Baycats, the same team they beat in last season’s final.
The Fish not only led the league with 31 wins a season ago including 15 at home and a +127-run differential, but they also led the IBL in attendance, averaging over 1,500 fans a game.
A big reason for that is due to the fun atmosphere at the ballpark on game days including the creative giveaways.
This season, the Jackfish announced 14 giveaway days including championship seat cushions on May 18th, Bark in the Park doggie bags on June 1st and Jacques – the mascot – bobbleheads on Aug. 8th.
There will also be Fireworks SuperShows after five games this season (May 18th, June 22nd, July 1st and 20th, and Aug. 17th), as well as autograph signings on the field after every game, making nights at The Pond a can’t-miss event.
For more information on the Welland Jackfish, head to wellandjackfish.com.
Niagara River Lions
The Niagara River Lions make their return to the Meridian Centre on May 30th in the home opener against rival Brampton Honey Badgers.
After finishing last CEBL season atop the Eastern Conference before losing in the semi-finals to the Scarborough Shooting Stars – the league champions – the River Lions have unfinished business looking to win their first CEBL title in franchise history.
Leading the River Lions once again this season is guard Khalil Ahmad. The California native led the team with 18.9 points per game last season, which ranked 13th best in the league, while posting six assists per game – fourth highest – and shooting nearly 50 per cent from the field. He also won the 2023 CEBL Clutch Player of the Year and Defensive Play of the Year awards as well as being selected to the All-CEBL First-Team.
Tickets to watch Ahmad and co. start at only $20 with community suite applications ongoing.
For more information on the Niagara River Lions, head to riverlions.ca.
World Rowing Championships
The World Rowing Championships return to St. Catharines for the third time as the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course at Port Dalhousie will host the competition. From Aug. 18th to 25th, 2,500 of the world’s best rowers from over 80 countries will be looking to claim golden glory.
There will be senior, under-23 and under-19 events taking place as there will be tons of excitement in the region, especially as Brock’s Connor Dodds is among the expected participants in the championship.
Dodds won a bronze medal in last year’s U23 World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria and will be a favourite to place on the podium again in his home competition.
But before Dodds and the other rowers race for gold, the Barenaked Ladies will be kicking off the festivities as the band headlines the Celebration Concert which will be taking over the Meridian Centre on April 25th.
Tickets for the concert start at $55 with the proceeds supporting businesses in St. Catharines and the Niagara Region.
For more information on the World Rowing Championships, head to worldrowing.com.