PRESS RELEASE

Lacrosse in Motion Committee Announcement

Re: Lacrosse Day in Durham on June 17, 2017

at Iroquois Park Complex, Whitby

AGENDA

CEREMONY:

Chair of the Lacrosse in Motion Committee to introduce the dedicated members and their clubs, along with the mission of this committee moving forward.

Roger Anderson, CEO and Regional Chair of Durham region to present Proclamation for June 17, 2017 to be recognized as the Lacrosse Day in Durham.

Town of Whitby Mayor, Don Mitchell remarks

OLA Promotions Director, Jeramie Bailey remarks

Gil Nieuwendyk to say a few words

Brookin Redmen Lacrosse Player since 2001, Derek Suddons remarks

Chair of Lacrosse in Motion Closing Remarks

Lacrosse in Motion Club Committee

Brooklin Redmen a community owned Lacrosse Club has a storied history. In 1961 Brooklin was granted a senior lacrosse franchise. From 1961 to 1964 for these four years they were known as the Brooklin Hillcrest. In 1965 the name was changed to the Brooklin Merchants. In 1966 the name was again changed to the Brooklin Redmen and stuck. 50 years later they still remain the Brooklin Redmen. Over the years and 7 Canadian Mann Cup Championships later they have produced several Ontario and Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame members. This years’ edition has three coaching staff who are Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame members. Many players and builders have come through the Redmen doors over the years and have moved on and become successful. Many have put back into the game of lacrosse helping in our grassroots being the minor lacrosse systems. Without them there would be no Brooklin Redmen. The Redmen have become one big family of lacrosse people.

The Brooklin Merchants Sr B Lacrosse Club has been competing within the Ontario Senior B Lacrosse League since it’s inception in 2000. During the inaugural season the Brooklin Merchants were finalists in the President’s Cup National Championships. The team currently competes against teams from across the province including Ennismore, Oakville, Six Nations, St.Catharines, Owen Sound, and Wallaceburg.In 2015 the Brooklin Merchants finished 3rd in the regular season, and made it to the Ontario Finals before falling to the eventual 2015 President’s Cup Champion, Six Nation Rivermen. In 2016 the club will compete to be the top team in the league and will be true contenders for an opportunity to represent the province of Ontario in St. Albert, Alberta for the Presidents Cup.The Brooklin Merchants operate proudly in the Durham Region and are fortunate to be comprised of many players from the local lacrosse organizations. Many players from the Merchants have or will play in the Major Series Lacrosse League (MSL), Canadian Lacrosse League (CLAX) and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). We are also proud to have a strong affiliation with the Brooklin Redmen Lacrosse Club of the Major Lacrosse Series. Please follow us online at our website www.merchantslacrosse.com and on Twitter and Facebook. Go Merch!!!

The Whitby Junior Lacrosse Franchise began in 1969 as the Whitby B & R Transporters. The team won the Castrol Cup in 1970 as Canadian Junior B Champions. Whitby won its second National Junior B Championship in 1974.

In 1975, the Whitby Warriors entered the OLA Junior A League. The Warriors won seven Minto Cups as National Champions in the years 1980, 1984, 1985, 1997, 1999, 2011 and 2013. The intentions of the club is to promote, develop and foster the game of Lacrosse by maintaining an organization that instill a lifelong sense of pride in its members no matter how difficult the obstacles seem. For the young that wore the Warrior jersey, it was to develop them into men of character and respect. To help them become well rounded personally, socially, academically and athletically. Lastly, to have them achieve the highest goals that they can as a team and an individual.Following the intentions and ideals of the founding members of the club, the Warriors have been seven time National Champions, have 21 Alumni players playing in the National Lacrosse League as well as three coaches. Over forty players have combined their lacrosse skills with strong academics to earn scholarships to University’s in the United States. ThesePlayers earned a degree while competing in the highest level of competition.In 2015, the Warriors unveiled their new crest. The crest was 3 feathers in shape of “W”, signifying Trust, Honour & Respect. The design was the brainchild of a former Warrior player.In 2016, fifteen Whitby Warrior Alumni will be involved coaching minor lacrosse teams in Whitby.

Established in 1946 by legendary lacrosse coach Jim Bishop. Winners of 7 consecutive Minto Cups, the only team in sports to ever achieve this. Current Jr. B Team has won 4 Founders Cups and boasts a winning percentage of 85% since 1996. Several Green Gaels have been drafted into the National Lacrosse League.

The team mantra has been Family, Honour, Pride and Tradition for several years now. FHPT as the team says was the idea of Head Coach Brad MacArthur, himself a Green Gael alumni as a player before going on to play in the National Lacrosse League. The Green Gaels organization pride themselves in not only their accomplishments on the floor bet also what they do for athletes off the floor.This includes helping players achieve their academic goals on top of their athletic pursuits. Here is just another example of a quote by a Green Gael parent. “I hope you are doing well. Just had a conversation with another parent. His son misses the Green Gaels. I am telling you this because he misses the way you and the coaches treat your players. I am also telling you because you put up with so much politics you may not hear people say “thank you” enough. The way you treat our kids is second to none and let this be a reminder of that.Mr. Bishop would be extremely proud of the legacy he left lacrosse with his beloved Green Gaels. Our alumni has gathered every for the past 20 years in his honour for the Jim BishopMemorial Golf Tournament and the stories grow, friendships are renewed.FHPT

Shamrox JR C – going into 8th season of playing!!!

Established under the umbrella of Clarington Minor Lacrosse Association so local kids could continue to play a high level of lacrosse long after kids graduated from the minor level. The first management team consisted of, GM Kelly Braun and CMLA President Rodney Braun as well as Past President, Charlie Simpson.

2009 - Year of Establishment

2010 – Meredith Cup Champions

2011 – Meredith Cup Champions

2012 – Meredith Cup Champions

2013 – Meredith Cup Finalists

2014 – League Champions – Semi-Finalists

2015 – League Champions – Semi-Finalists

Five years ago the Whitby JR C Warriors were moved from West Durham. Since then the JR C’s have established themselves as a successful place to help with the growth and development of lacrosse players in Durham Region. Many players have grown up in various Minor Lacrosse Systems in the Durham Region.

The Warriors JR C Organization takes tremendous pride in the development of young lacrosse players. Whether it is a player who were on the fringe of making the Jr. A or B team but required some improvement within his game. Or off the floor developing these players into responsible young men. The JR C team gives players another avenue to continue to play lacrosse and develop to the next step.Over the 5 years alumni have returned to help out with the team. The last couple of year’s, two former players have been coaching the JR C team. Both local products Danny LaFontaine and Paul Gilligan will return again to the JR C bench and this year will be joined by Jason Wiswell who has also been involved locally in lacrosse for over 25 years.The Whitby JR C Warriors look to continue establishing its roots in the community.

Clarington Minor Lacrosse Association – It’s our Birthday too! And

was established in 2001 making this year its 15th Anniversary.

In 2001, the foundation of the Clarington Minor Lacrosse Association was created with Doug Luey of the Green Gaels and Skip Crosby of Clarington’s Municipality assembling members of the community that would ultimately become Clarington’s very first Board of Directors & Steering Committee. The Board included President, Peter Wynne,Charlie & Stephanie Simpson, John Harris, Steve Millard, Larry & Barb Cadwell, Al Cole, as well as the late Steve Cruickshank; in 2002 – Consisted of houseleague only; in 2003 – Floored first Representative Team; and in 2004 – Earned first Provincial Medal. A habit they have managed to repeat for 13 consecutive seasons amongst the varying age divisions.In only 2 short years of its conception, Clarington established itself as the fastest growing club within the Ontario Lacrosse Association. At one point, Clarington was actually the second largest organization in Ontario, second only to Whitby. However, with the introduction of surrounding centers such as Northumberland, Oshawa and the Kawartha Lakes, Clarington’s membership took a hit, dropping it from a top 3 center to maybe the top 10. Although the development of other clubs has directly impacted Clarington’s #’s it is the impact of alternate sports namely, spring and summer hockey programs that appear to be having the greatest effect on the program today.Despite waning numbers Clarington has managed to produce a number of quality lacrosse players both male and female who have gone to play high level lacrosse at both the Men’s and Women’s Provincial and National levels. As well, some of our graduates have gone on to play in, the Junior/Senior leagues, the NCAA as well as professional in, NLL and MLL.

The Oshawa Minor Lacrosse Association is a lacrosse program designed to teach, develop and enhance the knowledge of lacrosse in its many forms. Using well defined and standardized teaching methods, we share a positive lacrosse experience with all those involved.

With our newly founded ‘4on4Skilz’ Fall/Winter programs, we offer a chance for lacrosse players to play the game they love with other players from teams within Ontario, as well as a training program lead by current professional players. 4on4Skilz was designed to share and promote the game of Lacrosse in Oshawa and to teach the fundamentals of Lacrosse, with an emphasis on participation, education, safety and fun. Oshawa is a city of passion! Oshawa has been significant recent success due to the development programs and the passion of those involved in the sport. In 2015, our Bantam team won Field Provincials, Zone Championships, and Box Provincials. Due to the success of the Bantam team, they have been invited to England in March 2016 to compete. The 2015 Midget team also won their Zone Championships and Provincial championships. Oshawa has always been a thriving and closely knit lacrosse community. The very first team to represent the Oshawa community in an organized competition, against other centres, was the Oshawa lacrosse team of 1872. This team competed against similar sized communities, such as Port Hope, Bowmanville, Milbrook, and others. The City of Oshawa has also been involved in lacrosse nationally since 1929, when The General Motors Men’s team won the coveted Mann Cup. Our goal is to offer the youth of Oshawa an opportunity to learn, grow and understand Canada’s National Summer Sport right here in one of the oldest and strongest lacrosse centers in Canada.

Uxbridge Minor Lacrosse Association was established to promote lacrosse in the smaller communities and every season a small group of volunteers dedicate themselves to run a successful box program for their players and their families. We, the players, appreciate their efforts.

Thank you all for your efforts on behalf of our players. Uxbridge has a developmental house league program and representative teams at most levels every season. In 2015, the Uxbridge Tykes won the Coburg Tournament going undefeated. Congrats Boys and Bench Staff!

Uxbridge Minor Lacrosse Association is proud of its players and their accomplishments. Spencer Andrews has received a scholarship at Mars Hill College. Tyler Stinson has made his mark with The Green Gaels and while representing Team Ontario, has won Gold at the National Championships two years in a row.

Uxbridge Minor Lacrosse Association takes pride in being a strong positive influence with the community and works hard to produce great players and appreciates the dedication from the Coaches and their bench staff.

Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association was established in 1958 and is presently the largest minor lacrosse association in Ontario. Whitby players participate in both a successful house league and representative program for both boys and girls from ages from 3 to 21.

The WMLA have a number of Provincial Championships at the representative level with some of these players going on to represent Whitby through Team Ontario and Team Canada; as well receiving scholarships and playing for the Junior to Senior clubs within this document. Many of our players can be seen on TV playing within the NLL. Whitby takes pride in their players as well as their Volunteers, Coaches and Bench Staff which Whitby is very fortunate to have lacrosse experience dedicated to the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association.

West Durham Minor Lacrosse Association (WDMLA) was established in the city of Pickering in 2001. It has operated continuously since that date serving the communities of Pickering, Ajax, and the West Rouge area of Scarborough. Rep teams operated under the name “West Durham Rock”.

The association hosted its first invitational tournament in 2002. The tournament is recognized as a “historical” tournament by the OLA and occurs on the last weekend of June each year, hosting up to 48 teams. In 2009, the tournament was renamed the Don Swindells Memorial Rockmen Classic to honour one of the founders of the association.

In 2014, the association refreshed its logo and changed the name of the teams representing the WDMLA to “West Durham Rockmen”.

The following alumnae have graduated from the mino program and achieved further success in lacrosse:

Russell Poulton – Ajax rock (MSL), Guelph Gryphons (CUFLA), Scarborough Saints (Jr.B)

Kyle Swindells – Markham Ironheads (Jr.B), Brampton Excelsiors & Ajax Rock (MSL)

Kevin Jenkins – Markham Ironheads & Halton Bulldogs (Jr.B)

Kyle Crane – Scarborough Saints (Jr.B), West Durham Patriots (Jr.C),

Cade Zulak - Beaches(JrA), Ironheads(Jr.B)’ Mars Hill(NCAA DIII), Ajax Rock (MSL), Merchants (Sr.B)

Joey Kozovski – Markham Ironheads (Jr.B), Medaille College (NCAA DIII)

Craig Espinho, Nick Baun, Dylan Hutton, Paddy Morgan, Kyle McDermott, Sean Power, Matt Law,

Quinn Wilson – Markham Ironheads (Jr.B)

Dillon Strachan – Beaches (Jr. A&B), Ironheads (Jr.B), Ajax Rock (MSL) Brooklin Merchants (Sr.B)

Dylan Cowman – Huntsville Hawks, Mississauga Tomahawks, Beaches, Markham Ironheads

Mike Hart – T. Beaches(Jr.A&B),Markham Ironheads(Jr.B),Alfred State College(NCJAA)

Blake MacDonald – Lees McRae (NCAA DII)

Kyle Kropman – Toronto Beaches & Oakville Buzz (Jr.B) Brock University (CUFLA)

Ian Duffy – Rochester(NLL), Brampton(MSL), Beaches & Oakville Buzz, Brock U, WD Patriots

Cam Ferguson – Beaches(Jr.A&B),Oakville Buzz & Ironheads(Jr.B),Medaille College(NCAA),WD Patriots

Stevey Douitsis – Markham Ironheads(Jr.B),Medaille College(NCAA DIII), West Durham Patriots(Jr.C)

Marc Levesque – University of Guelph (CUFLA)

Brendon Fox – Canisus College(NCAA DI),Mars Hill(NCAA DII),Lakers(Jr.A),Green Gaels(Jr.B)

Mike Lum Walker – Toronto Rock(NLL), Oakville Rock(MSL),Whitby Warriors(Jr.A),Green Gaels(Jr.B)

Pat Gregoire – Ironheads(Jr.B),Medaille College(NCAA DIII),WD Patriots(Jr.C),Asst Coach of Ironheads

Ryan Serville – Whitby Warriors(Jr.A),Green Gaels(Jr.B), Jacksonville & Delaware(NCAA DI), Guelph

Mike Triolo - Redmen(MSL), Beaches, KW Braves & St. Catharines(Jr.A),Ironheads(Jr.B),Phieffer College

Todd Nakasuji – Limestone College(NCAA),Charlotte Hounds(MLL), Buzz & Beaches(Jr.B), WD Patriots

Adam Zulak – Beaches(Jr.A),Ironheads(Jr.B),WD Patriots(Jr.C)Mars Hill College(NCAA DIII)

Eric McDermott – Brampton Excelsiors(Jr.A), Markham Ironheads(Jr.B)

George Jimas – Ironheads(Jr.B),WD Patriots(Jr.C), Wilfred Laurier University(CUFLA)

Easton McDonald – Markham Ironheads(Jr.B), West Durham Patriots(Jr.C)

Dalton Lundy – Green Gaels(Jr.B), Hartford(NCAA DI), Western(CUFLA)

Dustin Doudelet – Okotoks Raiders/Langley Thunder(BCJALL),Wheeling Jesuit(NCAA DII),Beaches(Jr.B)

Tyler MacKendrick – Burlington Chiefs(Jr.A), Newmarket Saints(Jr.B), University of Guelph(CUFLA)

Robbie Grant – Markham Ironheads(Jr.B), Whitby Warriors(Jr.C)

Tyler Roche – Peterborough Lakers/Brampton(Jr.A), Markham Ironheads(Jr.B)

Julian Garritano – Sacred Heart(NCAA DI), Markham Ironheads(Jr.B)

John St.John – Brampton Excelsiors & Toronto Beaches(Jr.A), Durham Turfdogs (CLAX)

Kenzie Smith – Barrie Lakeshors(Jr.A), Markham Ironheads(Jr.B)

Andrew Kelly – Barrie Lakeshores(Jr. A)

Brandon Robinson & Justin Robinson – Brampton Excelsiors(Jr.A)

Markell Nelson – Barrie Lakeshores(Jr.A), Drexell University (NCAA DI)

Holden McDonald – Onadoga(NCJAA), Ironheads (Jr.B)

Riley Kumano – Burlington Chiefs(Jr.A)

Bryce Keats – Ironheads(Jr.B), 6th Overall Draft Pick Toronto Beaches (Jr.A)

To Everyone in the Lacrosse Community:

I am very honoured to be the Chair of the Lacrosse in Motion Committee established in 2015 comprising of a very dedicated group of all the Box Lacrosse Clubs in Durham Region. These clubs comprise of Minor (Clarington, Oshawa, Uxbridge, West Durham, and Whitby) to Junior (Clarington Junior C, The Green Gaels Junior B; Whitby Warriors Junior A and Whitby Warriors Junior C) to Major (Brooklin Redmen Senior A and Brooklin Merchants Senior B).

This Committee has a compiled a list of goals for 2016 and 2017 Seasons:

Goals of the 2016 LAX Day in Durham

To promote lacrosse within the community
To bring together all the lacrosse associations under one facility
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Brooklin Redmen. (1966)
Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Green Gaels(1946)
Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Clarington Minor Lacrosse (2001)
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Whitby Minor Lacrosse (1966)
To find creative and fun ideas to expose lacrosse to potential new members
To Bring together members of all Durham Region clubs to work and promote lacrosse

Goals of the 2017 LAX Day in Durham

Celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the Ontario Lacrosse Association.
Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Canadian Lacrosse Association.
Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the written rules of lacrosse.
To continue the increase awareness to existing and potential members
To continue to create common goals and synergies with all our partners.
To Bring together members of all Durham Region clubs to work and promote lacrosse

Canada’s Summer National Sport of Lacrosse is very abundent within Durham Region and this Committee wants to maintain and grow this great sport even more through two main focusses.

The first, is for these clubs to work together to promote the Sport of Lacrosse throughout Durham Region through active participation of Registration Days for the Minor Clubs; the Durham District School Board Annual Lacrosse Tournament; distribution of Pamphlets/Posters throughout Durham Region; and attending events that expose new players to the Sport of Lacrosse.

The second, is to hold the Lacrosse Day in Durham on June 25, 2016 at Iroquois Park which entails Brooklin Redmen, Brooklin Merchants, Whitby Warriors and the Green Gaels will be playing great games with the participation of the minor houselegue teams playing in-between periods; the minor clubs will be able to promote their clubs; Zone 6 will be promoting Official Recruitment; Championship Trophies will be on display; Vendors will be there; Player Autographs after the game; a Logo Contest for the 150th Anniversary of Lacrosse in Canada and much much more.

There will be a Midget All-Star Showcase that will be operated by the Clarington and Whitby Junior C’s. There will be 2 to 3 games(depending on registration) of Midgets as individuals throughout Durham Region playing together to expose themselves to the world of Junior.

The goal of both these concepts is to promote the Fastest Game on Two Feet and hopefully expose new players to the Sport of Lacrosse.

Regards,

Tina Manning

Chair of Lacrosse in Motion

Game Schedule

Midget All Star Showcase @ 8:00 – 10:00am

Kicking off Lacrosse Day will be the Midget All-Star Games. This will give all local teams a chance to have their players compete and show off their skills. This is also an opportunity to celebrate the volunteer coaches who have put in countless hours working to develop these young athletes. Taking place from 8:00am – 10:00am or 7:30am – 10:30am depending on registration, everyone will have the chance to catch these “All Stars” and coaches in action.
The Whitby and Clarington Junior C teams will be organizing this event and will contact all midget coaches with the registration forms. Players will be chose on a first-come basis, with the cut off date for registration being May 21st 2016. For more information visit the “Lacrosse In Motion” website which will have full registration and event details.

Green Gaels Playoff Game @ 11:00am

Brooklin Merchants Game @ 2:00pm

Whitby Warriors vs Peterborough Lakers @ 5:00pm

Brooklin Redmen vs Peterborough Lakers @ 8:00pm

Minor Teams Having Fun!

Minor Association Teams will be selected to walk on the floor with the opening ceremonies of each game
Have a draw to have a player conduct the first face off
Have 2 teams from the Durham Region minor clubs participate in a friendly in between period 1 and 2 and between period 2 and 3.
The ages of the minor teams would be directed towards the paperweight to novice age divisions
The games will be considered friendlies with Coaches on the floor for support

Added Events

Vendors
Player Autographs after games

Logo Contest

In commemoration of the 150 Year Anniversary of Lacrosse in Canada, a competition is being held to design the new logo for “Lacrosse Day in Durham”. Entrants are invited to create a design that reflects the main theme of the event. We have a strong vision for the official logo to embody both the creativity and passion of our great game.

The winning design will become the official emblem of the Lacrosse Day in Durham 2017. Entries for any age group are allowed; minors need consent from their parents. The Details are being finalized but will be sent out through Social Media by March 1, 2016.

Logo Requirements

Professional: This logo may be featured on our website, our social media platforms and other mediums (stationary, pamphlets, t-shirts etc). As a result, while we want the logo to be eye-catching, it must still be legible.
Theme: Logo must promote the “150 Years of Lacrosse in Canada.” Design should be lacrosse specific.
Color: There are no limitations and any colors may be used. However, logo must look good in color (if any) or black and white.
Integrity: Logos cannot contain copyrighted material. Logos must have been created and edited by the contestant(s). Logos may not include images or licensed images that have been previously published. Must be easily reproducible and scalable for large and small formatting.

Contest Details

Winners will be selected by the Lacrosse Day in Durham Board of Directors. Contestants agree that we may publish their logo and name(s) and may use both for advertising campaigns and/or marketing materials in the future. Contestants assign all ownership rights, including all intellectual property rights to the logo, to “Lacrosse Day in Durham.” Additionally, we may alter, modify or revise the logo as it sees necessary to achieve the goals of the Board. We reserve the right to not select a winner if, in its sole discretion, no suitable entries are received.