Sticks & Stones -August 2013
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Volume 6, Issue 4 CLA ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF NATIONAL TEAM August 2013 DIRECTOR ‐ WOMEN'S FIELD Inside this issue: CLA ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF NATIONAL 1 Gait, a name synonymous with lacrosse, more TEAM DIRECTOR ‐ WOMEN'S FIELD specifically with Canadian lacrosse, is making its way INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: CANADIAN back to the Team Canada Lacrosse family. The CLA OFFICIALS 2 announces the appointment of Gary Gait as the new DONALD BLACKLOCK RECEIVES LESTER B. National Team Director for Women's Field. PEARSON AWARD 3 Gait a native of British Columbia, is the latest addition CANADIAN LACROSSE HALL OF FAME to the CLA’s national team strategy that is taking ANNOUNCES 2013 INDUCTEES 3 shape in an effort to ensure long term international AN AMAZING CANADIAN MOMENT 4 success and to maintain quality national programming for developing players. Gait joins NEW CHAIR ELECTED AT CANADIAN LA‐ CROSSE HALL OF FAME AGM 5 Johnny Mouradian, the CLA National Team Director COACHING: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for Box Lacrosse and David Huntley, the CLA National 5 Team Director for Men’s Field Lacrosse. Each (PD) REGISTRY National Team Director oversees the national team FOR COACHES: INTRODUCING MAKING 6 program staff, guides the player identification and HEAD WAY IN SPORT TIME! Gary Gait named new National Team Director—Women’s Field for the CLA selection process, monitors team members and TEAM ALBERTA GIRLS BANTAM BOX TEAM 6 oversees the planning for their respective discipline at the national team level in conjunction with the National Team Chair, Dean French, SIX NATIONS CHIEFS – 2013 MANN CUP 7 and CLA VP of International Competition, Stewart Begg. CLEAN SWEEP ‐ TEAM ONTARIO CAPTURES 8 Many familiar with Canadian lacrosse are well aware of the experience, passion and FEMALE NATIONALS: BC CLAIMS 1ST JUNIOR knowledge of lacrosse Gait is bringing with him to this role. "Gary knows lacrosse; WOMEN’S NATIONAL TITLE 8 he has experience as both a player and coach at all levels - he has a pulse on what is TRIPLE GLORY: OLA'S SIX NATIONS REBELS going on in our game." commented Stewart Begg, CLA VP of International THREE‐PEAT AS FOUNDERS' CUP CHAMPIONS 9 Competition. "Sure we all know him from his playing days on the field, but he's not 2013 MINTO CUP: WHITBY WARRIORS new to the women's game - he's actively on the sidelines, he's aware of what's CLAIM JUNIOR 'A' CHAMPIONSHIP 10 going on. Gary is a great fit with the National Team program - I look forward to THE ST. CATHARINES SAINTS, 2013 working with him and seeing just where we can take the women's field program. PRESIDENTS CUP CHAMPIONS 11 He carries a tremendous amount of respect from and for the women's game." Senior Men’s Field National Canadian born and bred, Gait started his lacrosse career in his BC hometown of Championship: 12 Victoria in the minor league system. After a successful playing career, including Behind the Scenes...CLA Presence at being a 4-time ('90, '94, '98, '06) national team player, Gait took to the sidelines in National Championships 12 another capacity, taking on both management and coaching positions. He is not The CLA congratulates all the 2013 new to Team Canada Lacrosse management either, having held the role of head National Champions 13 coach for the 2007 gold medal winning Men's Indoor team and the 2003 and 2008 U-19 Men's Field silver medalist teams. Important Dates & Deadlines 13 Continued on Page 2 P AGE 2 S TICKS & STONES CONT’D: CLA ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF NATIONAL TEAM DIRECTOR ‐ WOMEN'S FIELD “I am very excited to take the next step with the CLA and help the Canadian women's lacrosse program compete at the highest level." said Gait upon his acceptance of the role. Gait's accolades is a large list, his lustrous career expands beyond his playing years; as current head coach for Syracuse University's women's field team, Gait took his team to the NCAA Div I final four this year, a trip he's led the team to three other years since his start in 2007. He has been named the 'Big East Women's Lacrosse Coach of the Year' twice (2011 & 2012) and named the 'NCAA Women's Lacrosse North Region Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2012. Dean French, National Team Chair for the CLA expressed how Gait's involvement at the National Team level will pay dividends with women's field lacrosse, and lacrosse in general, across Canada. “Gary was a great asset to the national team program both as a player and coach. Stepping into this role, Gary recognizes that a successful national program will help us to continue growing women’s lacrosse across Canada. I am really looking forward to working with him and seeing where the program can go.” His first task in the role will be working with the National Team Chair and VP of International Competition to name the 2015 U-19 Women's Field head coach, who will lead the team towards a world title in Edinburgh, Scotland July 23-August 1, 2015. Gait will be stepping into the role following a long and successful tenure from the previous National Team Director for Women's Field. The CLA wishes to express its sincere gratitude to long-time Director, Joanne Stanga, for her years of dedication and commitment to the Team Canada women's field program. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: CANADIAN OFFICIALS The Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) would like to congratulate the following Canadian officials for a great showing at the 2013 FIL Women's World Cup held in Oshawa, ON July 10-20. Carolyn Toll Katie Howes Marisa Di Bari Kaillie Briscoe Emily Uza Lyndsay Brooks Toll, Howes, Di Bari, Briscoe, Uza and Brooks were selected by the Federation of International Lacrosse to participate in the World Cup. To prepare for the World Cup, all six women arrived in Oshawa the week prior to the start of the games to participate in pre-tournament on field practices, class room rule review, and fitness testing. In addition to their selection to participate, Canadian officials Briscoe and Uza, received their international ranking while being evaluated during the event. The CLA and our officiating sector is very proud of the accomplishment of these officials in being selected to officiate at an international event and take pride in knowing that each official represented our country in the very best spirit, both on and off the field. V OLUME 6, I SSUE 4 P AGE 3 DONALD BLACKLOCK RECEIVES LESTER B. PEARSON AWARD Twenty-seven years ago Donald (Don) Blacklock took to the lacrosse field in the black and white stripes to begin his career as an official in Canada's national summer sport. A leader both nationally and internationally, Don has been a catalyst in the development of Canada’s national field officiating program - a program recognized internationally as the best in the world of lacrosse. With Don’s efforts and those who support him, Canada has been successful in the development of world class officials and assessors. Often during the organization of world level competitions, Canada is called upon to supply the majority of the officials and assessors - something that many in the Canadian lacrosse world directly relate to the strong efforts of Don leading the development of our national officiating program. On July 18 during the 2013 FIL Women's World Cup, in front of his peers, Don was named the 2013 recipient for the Lester B. Pearson Award. The Lester B. Pearson award is presented by the CLA to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions of sportsmanship and leadership in the game of lacrosse and to the physical and mental development of young Canadians through unselfish dedication as a volunteer. A field official first, Don has officiated in the box sector program and demonstrates a love of lacrosse that is enviable and undeniable. Although he currently resides in England, he continues his efforts to develop officials throughout the world and never forgets his roots in Canada. Don is a role model to everyone around him and is one of those officials who has the “IT” factor for developing and marketing the officiating program. To his credit, Don has been an official in 20 Canadian national field lacrosse championships, either as an on-field official or referee-in-chief. His contributions to the Canadian game go beyond his years on the field as he served in administrative and leadership roles, such as his four-year tenure as CLA Field Lacrosse Referee-in- Chief. Internationally, he maintains the high standard that has come to be expected with Canadian officials as he currently holds the position of Chair of Men's Officiating for the Federation of International Lacrosse. It was with great pleasure that the CLA presented the Lester B. Pearson award to Don and publically acknowledged his contribution to our great sport. Thank you, Mr. Donald Blacklock. CANADIAN LACROSSE HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2013 INDUCTEES Eleven new members and one team have been named for induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. The new inductees include: Builders Ron Crosato (Delta, BC) and Ron Winterbottom, Sr. (St. Catharines, ON); Box Lacrosse Players Dallas Eliuk (Portland, OR), Dwight Maetche (Coquitlam, BC), Bill Gerrie (Burlington, ON) and Randy Mearns (East Amherst, NY); Veteran Players Larry Henry (Tsawwassen, BC), Bill Armour (Bailieboro, ON) and John “Joey” Todd (Cobourg, ON); Field Players Doug Deschner (Kelowna, BC) and Keith “Mac” McLennan (Winnipeg, MB) and the 1958-59 & 1962 New Westminster Salmonbellies in the Team Category. The new inductees will bring the number of those honoured in lacrosse's national shrine to 487 --144 Builders, 214 Box Players, 84 Field Players and 45 Veterans (those who played prior to 1975).