March 2007 $1.00 Design One Graphics Group Group Graphics One Design cover & logo design by by design logo & cover Gordon Lee Photography, Steve Barr, Graig Abel Graig Barr, Steve Photography, Lee Gordon Left to right photos by: by: photos right to Left By: Hamish Knox and LacrosseTalk Staff Across the country in Nova Scotia, John Verrall is lit- “Focus on making the sport fun and do it for the kids.” The success of lacrosse associations less than five erally the Eastern Shore Breakers Lacrosse Association. In Quebec, the Lacrosse Federation du Quebec is years old has surprised some in more established He and a friend decided to start an association while experiencing great growth in areas like Longueuil, associations. In this article, six new lacrosse programs getting John’s skates sharpened one winter day. John Boucherville and Varennes. Saint-Hubert and Saint-Ba- from across Canada share their secrets to early returns manages the lacrosse program with great help from Keith sile have created a strong program where one did not on and off the floor. Redden and Earl Mannette—directing 80 players, numer- exist 2 years ago. If all works out, over 250 kids will be The key word for a new lacrosse association used ous coaches and volunteers. playing lacrosse this summer. to be “build.” Build player base, build coaching ranks, “He has built up an association from scratch over two In hockey-rich Quebec it has been a challenge to build volunteer groups, build sponsorship and build years and he received the Association of the Year award encourage participation in lacrosse. A few creative community support. While building is still an integral this fall,” stated Lacrosse Nova Scotia’s Steve Newton. methods of promotion have proven fruitful. part of any lacrosse program, some new programs have In two short seasons of play, one of Eastern Shore’s “Many of the parents want to see their child in the tapped into the experience of ex-pat lacrosse volunteers Bantam teams was victorious in the Metro Minor Cham- NHL,” explained coach Chad Fairfoull. “That’s when with lacrosse backgrounds in established associations pionships with a host of other Breakers’ teams making I pull out the quotes from hockey players like Wayne to jump-start their programs. championship games. Verrall appreciates the help he has Gretzky and show the list of NHL players who played For example, the Medicine Hat Sun Devils won experienced growing a new association and looks forward lacrosse as a youth.” Alberta’s Tier 2 Junior title last summer, the first program to better things in 2007. Good help has been his key! On the other side of Alberta, the Lethbridge Lacrosse from outside Red Deer, Edmonton or Calgary to claim “When you need help ask good people and you will find Association capped off their first four years of exist- a post-midget title since the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse much more than you need,” stated Verrall. ence with provincial titles at the Bantam and Midget C League (RMLL) was formed in 1988. The Sun Devils Back in British Columbia, Wayne Clarke, a former levels. The Bantams didn’t lose a game in 2006, an program, minor and junior was founded by Linda Rob- lacrosse player from North Vancouver by way of Big amazing accomplishment for an association that start- ertson, a former Coquitlamite who used her experience River, Saskatchewan, created a box program in Quesnel ed with 80 players in 2002. Now, over 350 athletes play with the Adanacs to create a new lacrosse program in in the Cariboo region of BC near Prince George. Clarke lacrosse in the area. southwestern Alberta. has worn many hats in preserving the growth of lacrosse “We have an amazing core group of volunteers and par- “It’s been a struggle, but really rewarding and a as a ref, coach, clinician and executive member. In five ents who live, breathe and sleep lacrosse”, stated LLA steep learning curve,” mentioned Robertson. “This seasons the Quesnel Lacrosse Association has had Executive Director Taunya Garant. “We also realize is definitely a hockey town and we just gave as many as 150 players—many of them experiencing that without the surrounding areas, our program could them (the kids) a choice to play lacrosse. The provincial successes. not survive and we ensure that we give them what athletes just compete on heart and perseverance.” In only their second season, Quesnel won a provin- support we can.” cial Pee Wee C title and have reached the podium at In Eriksdale, Manitoba, Kylo Harris brought his love of almost every provincial lacrosse to his new community. Harris got involved with British Columbia Lacrosse Association event they vied for. But it lacrosse in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut just 3 years ago. 4041 B Remi Place, is not all about the on-floor He aspires to pass on his experiences with a new group Burnaby, BC V5A 4J8 40038752 successes as much as the called the Lakeshore Assassins. off-floor achievements. “When I moved to rural Manitoba I wanted to make the same opportunity available to the youth here and “The lacrosse communi- since there was no club, I started one,” mentioned ty is small and has its own Harris. “Don’t feel that if there is no team or league in culture–encourage and your area that you cannot have a lacrosse program. The provide opportunities for as majority of our youth is happy to practice and scrimmage. many people as possible to We are learning the skills and having fun.” participate,” said Clarke. continues on page 3 MAR_07_laxtalk.qxp:may_06_laxtalk.qxd 2/24/08 9:55 PM Page 2 Page 2 | March 2007 LacrosseTalk Ontario Lacrosse Association MAR_07_laxtalk.qxp:may_06_laxtalk.qxd 2/24/08 9:55 PM Page 3 National Team selections follow successful International Tour OTTAWA - The Canadian U-19 Women’s lowed by the Tournament which ran from where teams exchanged the lead at various announce its final 18 member team follow- Field Lacrosse Team returned from an January 3-7, and concluded with the final two points in the game but never by more than two ing a training camp and exhibition games International Tour to Australia in January, test matches over the last four days of the tour. goals. At the final whistle, the green and gold on the May long weekend at Trent and the coaching staff immediately The Canadian Squad went 2 for 4 in its test held a one goal advantage to win the tourna- University in Peterborough. announced the 20 athletes who will comprise matches and had a great opportunity to play ment by a score of 10-9. Full Tour results and ongoing activities of the final team representing Canada at the against several Senior National players from “The opportunity to play our key competi- the Canadian Team can be viewed at: 2007 IFWLA U-19 World Championships, to Australia’s 2005 World Cup Championship tors under World Championship conditions www.teamcanadawomenslacrosse.com. be held at Trent University in Peterborough, team. was invaluable. The players experienced the ON from August 4-11. Canada White (9) vs Australia Gold In tournament play, both Team Canada and full range of physical and mental challenges (14) in Southern Crosse Tournament round The Tour to Melbourne, Australia, included the Aussie Squad played as two teams, who that go along with playing at the highest level robin action competition in the Southern Crosse together with the Japan team comprised the and have developed a new confidence in them- Tournament against Australian and Japanese selves,” Head Coach Jen Johnson stated. Canada Red (8) vs Australia Gold (11) in five team ladder. In round robin play, the Round Robin action. U-19 Squads, in addition to four test matches Canadian teams ended with a combined four “We used the Tour and these ideal condi- with the Victoria State Squad. wins and four losses. Canada moved through tions to base our final selections on. We made Canada U-19 … All for one! The 16-day Tour began with the first two to the final with Australia and treated the some very positive progressions as a team dur- Canucks & Aussies Unite: International tour test matches within the first five days, was fol- crowd to an exciting championship game ing the tour and recognize what we need to sets stage for fierce competition, but great work on for the World Championships.” friendships are the lasting result. IFWLA guidelines provide for each country Canada closes the gap with Australia in an to field an 18 member roster. Canada will exciting Southern Crosse final (10-9). 2007 Canadian U-19 Women’s Field Lacrosse Team Player Age Hometown Jayme Beard 18 Hawkestone, ON Natasha Blackburn 17 Mississauga, ON Christine Comeau 18 Whitby, ON Ashley Curtis 17 Peterborough, ON Allison Daley 18 Peterborough, ON Janaye Dzikewich 17 Whitby, ON Britt Farquharson 19 Mississauga, ON Justiene Groothuis 16 Kitchener, ON Katie Guy 15 Whitby, ON Katie Ilott 18 Whitby, ON Coaching Staff Jen Johnson - Head Coach Burlington, VT Kylee Reade - Assist.Coach Mountain View, CA Player Age Hometown Shannon Kerr 16 Inglewood, ON Jordie Loyst 17 Port Perry, ON Katelyn Mandville 18 Courtice, ON Paige Mason 18 Priceville, ON Lisa McLaughlin 17 Whitby, ON Kristen Millar 19 Whitby, ON Carly Quinn 17 Orangeville, ON Alison Rusak 18 Orangeville, ON Ashley Rutz 18 Milton, ON Sierra Smith-Hart 17 Whitby, ON Jen Cassidy - Assist.Coach Whitby, ON Lynz Keys - Assist. Coach Farmville, VA Continued from cover The successes for Kylo Harris and the new Lakeshore Assassin players are simply having the opportunity to play the game.