Former Head Coach Matt Ginn sees big things in Storm future after arena move
A brand new era is about to begin with the organisation and Ginn, who played for and coached Storm between 2018 and 2024, is as pleased as anyone over the move.
He believes the timing is perfect for the Storm to take up residence in their bigger home, with excitement already mounting ahead of next season, and hopes to visit if his schedule allows.
“It’s super exciting for the club,”
he said.
“I know it’s been a goal to return the club back to the arena one day and here we are.
I think it’s a great time for the team to relocate to the AO Arena, on the back of such a successful season there.
Speaking to Cam and Finner, I know they were happy with the season, but not completely satisfied and they want to keep on getting better.
This will only help them achieve that and being able to bring in more fans at the AO Arena, as well as the location of the building, it’s much easier to get to.
It’s a big move and an exciting time to be a Storm fan and it’s going to make a big difference from a recruitment standpoint.
I’m really happy for everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make it happen.
The scheduling is tough due to the ice hockey season, but of course, I would love to come over and see everyone again. Manchester was my home for five or six years so I have a lot of good memories.
We’ll follow along and I’m hopeful I can make it over for a visit in the near future.”
Ginn also heaped praise on successor Critchlow, who led the club to the play-off finals weekend for the first time in their Elite League history.
And he says he had no Cameron was always likely to tread the path into coaching, given his history and the kind of character he is.
He added:
“I’m not surprised Critch did such a good job in his first year as coach. He’s been a captain everywhere he’s been and he’s won championships.
When I coached there, he was an extension of the coaching staff. He had a lot of experience in leading and it’s something that comes easy to him.
It’s great to see and I was pleased to see it go so well for him. I talk to him every day so I know the work he puts in and the pride he takes in doing a good job.
If you talk to anyone in the league, they’ll talk about how hard Manchester worked last year and he was a big reason for that and someone you would want to play for.
He’s going to do a great job going forward.”
By: Craig Anderson
