Volume 8, Issue 1 Canadian U19 National Women’s Team March 2015 Announced Inside this issue:

Dean French, ’s national team Chairman and the Canadian Lacrosse Association Canadian U19 National Women’s 1 (CLA) have announced Canada’s roster for the 2015 Federation of International Lacrosse Lacrosse Team Announced (FIL) U19 World Championship. Canada’s top female athletes will take on the world 2015 Player Transfers 3 vying for gold against long-time rivals from the United States and Australia, amongst other countries. 2015 is The Year of Sport in Canada 3 Two‐Time Team Canada Member 4 Last weekend marked the conclusion of the selection process for Canada’s 2015 National Tragically Passes Away Team which began 12 months ago as scouts across Canada evaluated and put forth Stephen Taylor Appointed Women’s 4 recommendations on athletes from the applicant pool. From all the player applications Chair of Officiating and scout evaluations, the top 60 applicants received an invitation to try out for Team Meet Deb Stocks ‐ CLA’s New Men's Field 4 Canada U-19. Over the last year two selection camps were held with a third and final Sector Chair camp taking place just last weekend. Through their participation in games against NCAA schools in the pre‐season, and selection camp scrimmages and drills, squad players left Team Canada's World Field 5 Team Canada coaches with difficult decisions in naming their final 18. Championship rings Spotlight: Aleska Johnson ‐ Local Lax 6 “We’re thrilled with the roster that we have put together and the talent that is set to Champion represent Canada on the national stage," said head coach, Scott Teeter. "We have 18 Children’s Fitness Tax Credit 6 very talented young players who have the ability to win gold in Scotland. It’s been a long process determining the final roster and I have to thank my assistant coaches, scouts and Important Dates & Deadlines 7 administrators. We are definitely excited for the coming months and look forward to competing with the very best and for a spot at the top of the podium.”

The final eighteen-player roster will represent Canada as the FIL Women’s Lacrosse World Cup heads to Scotland for the first time. Canada is currently ranked third in the world in under-19 women’s field and is looking to climb to the top of the podium in Scotland. "It’s exciting to see the growth of the women’s game in Canada and these young players repre- sent our future." Dean French, Chairman Team Canada.

Today, the CLA is pleased to announce the final 18 member roster that will represent Canada at the 2015 FIL U19 World Championship in Edinburgh, Scotland this summer, July 23-August 1.

2015 U19 Women's Field Team Canada

PLAYER HOMETOWN CLUB UNIVERSITY Tessa Chad Orono, ON Oshawa Lady Blue Knights Canisius College '15 Bailey Collins , ON Orangeville Northmen Niagara University '15 Aurora Cordingly Oakville, ON Oakville Lady Hawks N/A Erica Evans Peterborough, ON Kawartha Lacrosse Canisius College Emily Gillingham Kitchener, ON KW United Towson University Kameron Halsall Caledon, ON Orangeville Northmen N/A P AGE 2 S TICKS & STONES

PLAYER HOMETOWN CLUB UNIVERSITY Isabel Hoffard Rochester, NY Lady Roc Hofstra University '17 Avery Hogarth Mississauga, ON University of Vermont Megan Kinna Maple Ridge, BC Team BC Northwestern '16 Selena Lasota Campbell River, BC Team BC Northwestern Jocelyne Lemay Peterborough, ON Kawartha Lacrosse U19 University of Central Michigan '15 Holly Lloyd Glen Ridge, NJ Buildin Black Lacrosse Loyola College '16 Kennedy Milburn Whitby, ON Toronto Stars Denver University Kenzie Neal Orangeville, ON Orangeville Northmen University of Albany Brenna Shanahan Mississauga, ON Mimico U19 Canisius College '15 Danita Stroup Port , BC Port Coquitlam Saints LIU Brooklyn Lydia Sutton Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Elite University of Southern California Brynne Yarranton Toronto, ON Brampton Excelliors Boston University

Stewart Begg, Director of High Performance and International Relations for the CLA commented “Canada is looking to the top of the podium as we head into the 2015 World Championship. Our program has had great success since the inauguration of the U19 Women's Field event and this group of talented athletes is sure to keep that momentum going. The roster that coach Teeter and the rest of the Team Canada staff has put together is the best of the best and show- cases just how immensely skilled our Canadian athletes truly are. The talent within the pool of athletes the coaching staff selected from speaks volumes to the growth the women’s field program has had in recent years.”

The 2015 FIL U19 World Championship will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland at the University of Edinburgh's Peffermill Playing Fields. The last Championship was played in Hannover, Germany, where Canada took home the bronze. Can- ada's previous under-19 appearances include bronze in 2003 and 1999 and 4th in 2007 and at the inaugural event in 1995. Fifteen countries will take part in this year's event, with Colombia, Finland, Israel & Republic of Korea competing at women’s U19 level for the first time. The 2015 U19 World Championship will be the biggest to date, with nearly 400 par- ticipants (squads and officials) travelling to Edinburgh.

The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) was established in August 2008 in a merger of the men's and women's international lacrosse associations. FIL is responsible for the Men's Championship (2014), World Indoor Lacrosse Championship (2015), Women's Lacrosse World Cup (2013), and both the Women's (2015) and Men's (2016) Under‐19 World Lacrosse Championships. Each event is held every four years. V OLUME 8, I SSUE 1 P AGE 3 2015 Player Transfers

CLA Player Transfers will be permitted between Wednesday March 4h, 2015 and must be completed by Friday June 26th, 2015 @ 3:00pm EST.

Information on the Player Transfer Process can be found in the Player Transfer Guide and in Section 18 of the CLA Operations Manual. Click to access the CLA Player Transfer Form.

Any questions regarding player transfers, please contact Jane Clapham.

2015 is The Year of Sport in Canada

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, has proclaimed 2015 as the “Year of Sport” in Canada. The proclamation celebrates the role sport plays in our Canadian identity. From our local playgrounds, to recreational sport leagues all the way to our inspiring high performance athletes, sport is vital to the cultural fabric of our nation. Throughout 2015, we encourage all Canadians to celebrate sport in their neighbourhoods, towns or to get involved as a volunteer or spectator in one of the 60+ international sport events being hosted in Canada including:  14 Canadian Lacrosse National Championships From Nova Scotia to , over 1,600 lacrosse athletes will compete for the title of National Champion. From July through to September, don't miss your opportunity to watch the fastest game on two feet, played by some of the best athletes in the world.  2015 Bantam Boys Box Nationals July 21-25, , SK  2015 Female Nationals July 21-25, , AB  2015 Pee Wee & Midget Boys Box Nationals August 2-8, Whitby, ON  2015 Founders’ Cup August 17-23, Calgary, AB  2015 Minto Cup August 21-31,  2015 President’s Cup August 31—September 6, St. Catharines, ON  2015 September 4-13, British Columbia  2015 Alumni Cup & First Nations Trophy August 28-30, Halifax, NS  2015 Ross Cup & Victory Trophy October 9-11, TBC Stay Connected Social Media: Facebook.com/SportCanadaEN @SportCanada_EN Hashtag: #YearofSport

How will YOU get involved? What is your team/club doing during Canada's Year of Sport? Share it with us for a chance to be featured in the next issue of Sticks and Stones. Send your pictures, stories, videos to the CLA at [email protected] - title it "My Year of Sport" P AGE 4 S TICKS & STONES

Two‐Time Team Canada Member Tragically Passes Away It is with great sadness that the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) and the Team Canada Lacrosse family confirm that Team Canada member Vanessa Cox has passed away due to injuries sustained in a car accident in Milton, NH Thursday February 13, 2015.

Vanessa was a two-time (2009, 2013) member of the Canadian senior women's national team and a great leader both on and off the field. Vanessa was a valuable defensive asset to the 2013 Team Canada that saw Canada win its very first silver medal in the Senior Women's World Cup level.

The CLA and the entire Team Canada Lacrosse family wishes to pass on their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Vanessa; she will be dearly missed.

Stephen Taylor Appointed Women’s Chair of Officiating

The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Taylor of Manchester, England, who now resides in Ontario, Canada, as the Chair of Women’s Officiating. Stephen began this position mid-February and will focus initially on preparing and overseeing officials at the 2015 U19 Women’s World Championship, to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 23 July – 1 August. For the complete release, click here: http://filacrosse.com/stephen- taylor-appointed-womens-chair-of-officiating/

Meet Deb Stocks ‐ CLA’s New Men's Field Sector Chair

In the fall of 2014 Deb Stocks stepped into the position of Men's Field sector chair; a position not completely new to the 26 year lacrosse volunteer, having held the position for six years in a previous appointment. During her 26 years in lacrosse she has been involved in all levels of the game, from local to national. A mom to lacrosse- playing sons, Deb was secretary and mini tyke coordinator for the Nanaimo Minor Lacrosse Association. At a provincial level, Deb previously held the position of BCLA Field Chair and sits on the BCLA's hearing committee. Most recently she was the Sport Chair () for the 2014 BC Summer Games. The men's field game has grown and advanced since Deb last held the sector chair position but she is ready and excited to take on the roll. Still with her pulse very much on the game, having Deb as sector chair is a great asset. Deb will lead her first meeting as sector chair at the upcoming Men's Field sector meeting held during the CLA's Semi- Annual Meeting this coming May.

Do you have a great story about lacrosse in your province or community you’d like to share? Send it to [email protected]. V OLUME 8, I SSUE 1 P AGE 5

Team Canada's World Field Championship rings By Teddy Jenner, InsideLacrosse http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/team‐canada‐s‐world‐field‐championship‐rings/31110

Only the best in the world for the best in the world. That’s a perfect summation for the rings that will be presented to the members of the 2014 Team Canada field lacrosse who captured gold at last summer’s FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships in Denver. A team that was built to win from the goalie out will be rewarded with custom made and individually tailored rings courtesy of Cavalier Jewelry and Timm Williams Designs..

Nobody’s getting a two finger ring, even though Kyle Rubisch’s hands are so big it might look like it. There won’t be anything like the size of Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl rings or any of these monstrosities. However, they will mean just as much to everyone who gets one.

What may go down as one of the most emotionally-charged Canadian championship wins ever, the 2014 title will forever be linked to the memories of Chris Sanderson and Kyle Miller. Two long time members of the lacrosse family, who were taken far too soon, were massive parts of Team Canada’s success in Denver and integral parts of the Canadian lacrosse culture. Both will be memorialized on each ring with a 17 and 35 engraved into the ring with a Canadian diamond set above each number. A fitting tribute to two men who meant something different to everyone wearing the red and white on that day.

Everything about the rings are unique and Canadian. Spearheaded by Geoff Snider, the rings will feature the best in Canadian diamonds and hand crafted by the crew over at Cavalier Gastown in the downtown east-side of . “It was important for us to make this a truly Canadian ring and that was one of the reasons we wanted to work with the guys at Cavalier,” said Snider, who took on the task of designing the rings because, as he says, he’s a ‘control freak.’

Dane Stevens, from Cavalier, was honoured with the task of crafting these remarkable rings. He understood from day 1 the importance of getting it right and feels that after much deliberation (and even more after what was initially thought to be the finished product), the perfect ring was finally agreed upon. “Sometimes I felt like it was hard to translate what we were trying to accomplish, but in the end I think everyone is quite satisfied,” added Stevens, who also had to make sure the rings were in a lacrosse player's budget.

The successor to both Sanderson and Miller was, ironically, another Orangeville goalie product—Dillon Ward, who stood tall between the pipes literally and figuratively. Ward was named tournament MVP after making 10 saves in the final and can’t wait to see the final product. “The time, the thought and the overall workmanship is outstanding,” commented Ward.

Winning gold for your country is one of the hardest things to do in any sport. Finding a championship ring to exemplify the importance and significance of that win is often just as challenging. “The boys at Cavalier did an incredible job,” said Curtis Dickson.

Brodie Merrill, who—like Ward—has very close ties to both of his fallen Orangeville brethren, was blown away when he saw the rings. “They obviously paid attention to every detail,” he said..

It couldn’t have been any more storybook of an ending for the final whistle to be blown as the Canadian players all ran towards Ward to celebrate their team and family victory. The rings they will all wear on their fingers will forever be a reminder of that night but also of Chris and Kyle.

Still world champs. P AGE 6 S TICKS & STONES

Spotlight: Aleska Johnson ‐ Local Lax Champion

Aleska Johnson could very well be the definition of a Local Lax Champion - dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable, puts others before herself, enthusiastic, energetic and works hard to grow the game!

Aleska lives in Sedgewick, , a small farming community in eastern Alberta where lacrosse was rarely, if ever played. After being introduced to lacrosse she was so taken with it that she went to the county, applied for a grant and started the Sedgewick Lacrosse Association.

But lacrosse doesn't just grow because someone decides to start an association - it takes time, dedication and not to be forgotten someone with the technical knowledge to lead the sport. Technical people do not just appear because a club or team has started (as nice as that would be), so because there were no coaches, Aleska took the course. So she had the know-how to coach, interested kids to get them on the floor but another crucial element was missing once again, on-floor officials. She did not have any coaches, so it was unlikely she'd find a qualified official so once again she found herself in the position of doing it herself; there were no officials, so she took the program. She has literally started the entire program from the ground up, expanding her knowledge of the sport while providing a solid foundation to allow it grow.

Fast forward and the sport has grown to a three team league that now allows more kids than ever before in the Sedgewick and surrounding areas to play the great game of lacrosse.

For all this we say "bravo!" Aleska Sedgewick Lacrosse is proud to have you as their Local Lax Champion.

Know a Local Lax Champion? Send in your stories and let's celebrates the unsung heroes of lacrosse who volunteer their time so Canadians get to play the game we all love. Email [email protected]

Children’s Fitness Tax Credit

Information for parents and guardians: When preparing your taxes, remember that the Children's Fitness Tax Credit is now doubled. This tax credit now lets parents claim up to $1,000 per child for fees paid in 2014 for eligible fitness expenses. To be eligible for the Children's Fitness Tax Credit, expenses must be for a child who is under 16 (or is under 18 if eligible for the disability tax credit) at the beginning of the year in which the expenses are paid. Expenses must be for the cost of the child's registration or membership in a prescribed program of physical activity. File online and sign up for direct deposit to get your refund faster. For more information on eligibility, visit www.Canada.ca/TaxSavings. Video: Children’s Fitness Tax Credit (source: http://www.cra.gc.ca/fitness) V OLUME 8, I SSUE 1 P AGE 7 SPREAD THE WORD The Canadian Lacrosse Association is online - follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Engage with others in the Canadian lacrosse community.

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A BRAND NEW LACROSSE.CA! The CLA launched a new and improved www.lacrosse.ca - a sleek new design, easy-to-navigate and all the information athletes, coaches and officials need! Check it out!

Important Dates & Deadlines...

April 15 — Policy change proposals and reports for SAM are due April 30 — Deadline for entry fees to Minor Nationals are due June 1 — Deadline for entry fees: Founders’ Cup and Presidents’ Cup June 7 — Deadline for National Championship trophies to be returned to the CLA office June 26 — Inter-Membership Transfers (Box) must be completed CLA Sponsors

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