Lacosse Summer2012 Layout 1

Photo: Vintage Lax ALL THE WAY OLA JUNIOR "B" LACROSSE TO PRO A GREAT PLACE TO GROW // By Mike Hancock he Ontario Junior B Lacrosse conference with no crossover play, 16 teams mix in each of those six seasons and Halton T League (OJBLL) has provided many (8 from each conference) advance to the play- Hills accomplishing the feat five times. of today’s top Major Series Lacrosse offs and could play up to four rounds of best- “Over the past few years those four teams (MSL) and National Lacrosse League (NLL) of-five series on the way to crowning an have become perennial favourites to go to the players with the foundation for their careers Ontario Champion each year. Founder’s Cup Tournament,” said long-time and those numbers are only going to grow Recently, the past half decade has featured OJBLL Commissioner Dave Vernon. “These moving forward. four teams enjoying tremendous success and four teams have taken Jr. “B” to a new level of The OJBLL, which is the largest lacrosse making it the league’s final four on a regular consistency. Their programs bring out the best league in Canada, consists of twenty-six basis. The Six Nations Rebels, Halton Hills in each player first year or fifth year and games teams that cover the map from one end of the Bulldogs, Elora Mohawks and the Green between these teams are a joy to watch.” province to the other and also includes one Gaels have each advanced to the league semi- Each organization has taken different team in Quebec. After playing a 20-game reg- finals in at least four of the last six seasons paths to success. Both Six Nations and the ular season within each teams’ respective (2012 included) with Six Nations being in the Green Gaels are tied very closely to their local 70 Ontario LACROSSE | 2012 Ontario Lacrosse Festival While Six Nations has had a stranglehold on the Founder’s Cup winning three of the past five titles, the Halton Hills Bulldogs captured the championship in 2010 making them the only team from the OJBLL’s Eastern Con- ference to win the national championship during that five year span. “It’s an incredible rush playing in your hometown in front of over a thousand people in the playoffs,” ex- plained Bulldogs captain Junior “A” organizations and the success en- at a higher level early in their Junior lacrosse Kody Lyons who spent all five of his Junior joyed at the Junior B level has prepared these careers. In some cases, completely bypassing lacrosse years at home in Halton Hills. players to have similar success at the Junior the Junior “A” ranks and still enjoying success “Winning a championship with your friends A level. at the MSL and NLL levels. that you grew up with and getting to play at “It comes down to the passion and desire of “Elora is probably one of the best places such a high level is something pretty remark- the players and what they want and what that you could ever play lacrosse. The fans able and something not everyone has the priv- they’re willing to do for the game they love,” and the community are so full of support it is ilege of experiencing. Players who play for said Wray Maracle, General Manager of the Six hard to believe sometimes,” said current Halton Hills have it pretty good and I don’t Nations Junior “B” Rebels. “The Rebels, hav- Toronto Rock veteran forward Kasey Beirnes think there’s a better organization to play for.” ing developed a program, rewards those play- who spent all five of his Junior lacrosse years While Junior “A” lacrosse is undoubtedly ers that are willing to buy into that system the playing “B” in Elora. the highest level of Junior lacrosse played in Rebels have in place. The players will only get “In Elora, lacrosse is like a religion and the country and the much more traveled route better. The Rebels usually have players for their everybody does believe in the Mohawks year to the pros, the OJBLL is providing players first few years of Junior lacrosse, while the (Six in and year out. If you played for the Mohawks with an opportunity to prepare to compete at Nations Junior “A”) Arrows tend to have a ma- you were considered a local celebrity and the next level, whether it be Junior “A”, Senior jority of their players being 20 and 21 year-olds. would be recognized throughout town. This lacrosse or the NLL. It’s also keeping the The Rebels rarely have fifth year players on was pretty special for me as I grew up idoliz- grassroots of the game alive and well in many their roster and the coaches and management ing the Mohawks. If you have ever been to a smaller communities and more recently es- expect this to be the case every year.” game in Elora to see the size of the crowds tablished lacrosse hotbeds by giving local Elora and Halton Hills have worked with that they play in front of, it’s a prime example players a place to play Junior lacrosse at an various Junior “A” affiliates in recent years, of why people choose to play for Elora. The elite level. but are built on the hometown pride that play- fans, and a great organization are two reasons ers have instilled in them from a very young I did choose to play at home and this seems to Mike Hancock is the Communications Director age. Players often turn down chances to play be a common theme with many players.” of the Toronto Rock Lacrosse Club. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Ontario Festival Souvenir Edition | Ontario LACROSSE 71.

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