Lacrosse Canada Newsletter - Vol. 3 [English]

Lacrosse Canada Newsletter

Vol. 3

The 2024 Concussion Symposium Making the Game Safer

Lacrosse Canada is delighted to share the success of its virtual Concussion Symposium held back on January 21, 2024. The Concussion Symposium was an informative event that prioritized athlete safety and provided educational opportunities for attendees. This Symposium was an important event for Lacrosse Canada’s ongoing commitment to promote player safety within the lacrosse community and demonstrate the organization’s priorities Some of the topics covered throughout the event were new protocols for concussions, as well as the diagnosis, treatments and recognition of concussions and the effects these can have on athlete’s lives and mental health. Numerous high-class presenters were speakers at the event, including presenters from Lacrosse Canada’s therapists, doctors, and more Our presenters were Dr. Shannon Bauman, Dr. Marcus Robinson, Dave Murray, Tyler Quennell, Stephen Lobsigner, Claire Biafore, Erika Busk, Dan Carey, John Grant Jr, Dr. Carla Edwards, and Dr. Pam Weatherbee.

As an organization, Lacrosse Canada would like to thank all the presenters who took the time to educate the lacrosse community on concussions. We would also like to thank all the attendees who were able to make it to the event and help the organization promote safer sport for all our athletes. We are proud of the success of this event and the efforts demonstrated by experts and participants to encourage concussion education, research, and management strategies. We look forward to continuing our efforts to grow and promote the safety of the sport Keep an eye out for similar events in the future!

Player Spotlight

Q & A with Dana Dobbie

Q: When you started playing lacrosse did you ever expect this dream to become reality?

A: I think the coolest thing is when I started playing lacrosse, I was 4 years old, and I didn’t know anything different So, dreaming of playing lacrosse in the Olympics or playing for Canada was a dream that I had from the beginning as such a youngster So, to come full circle and to have never had that, but to know it’s up and coming, is probably the greatest accomplishment in my lacrosse career. Just being a part of it, and being able to see how far we’ve come as a sport, and knowing that with the Olympics, the sport is just going to take off from here.

Q: You’ve played box, you’ve played women’s field, now you’re playing sixes What is it about sixes that just brings out that exhilarating factor for you?

A: When I first started playing lacrosse, all I did was box lacrosse. And then, hearing about playing for Canada and knowing that my only opportunity was going to be in field lacrosse, field lacrosse became my newest best friend. So, to take the best of both worlds in a hybrid version of my first love and the sport that took me through college and through world championships, and seeing those two worlds collide in sixes – there is no better sport, I think, at the Olympics, than sixes And I’m just so happy, humbled and honoured, to have been able to play, especially at my age. So, it’s been awesome.

Stories from the NLL

TUCKER OUT LYMPHOMA NIGHT 2024

Reflecting on nine years since the tragic loss of Tucker Williams remains a somber yet poignant journey for the lacrosse community. Tucker was the son of NLL Hall of Famer and Lacrosse Canada alum, Shawn Williams, and, of course, related to Dyson and Dylana Williams, also Lacrosse Canada athletes. In memory of Tucker's resilience, the lacrosse community continues to champion awareness and fundraising for lymphoma research and a cure.

This year’s Tucker Out Lymphoma Night was between the Bandits and the Vegas Desert Dogs (coached by Shawn Williams). For Team Canada athlete Dhane Smith, Tucker's legacy holds personal significance. Under the mentorship of Shawn Williams, Smith formed a bond with Tucker, marveling at his unwavering positivity and love for lacrosse.

Reflecting on Tucker's enduring influence, Smith emphasizes the profound unity within the lacrosse community. Through initiatives like Tucker Out Lymphoma Night, our sport transcends competition, uniting in solidarity to honor Tucker's memory and support the cause.

Stories from the NLL

Lacrosse PEI invades ‘The Nest’!

Back in March, Lacrosse PEI (LPEI) delivered a youth clinic in Halifax at the Scotiabank Centre. After the clinic, the group took in the Thunderbirds vs. Swarm NLL game.

There was also an opportunity for clinic participants to meet up with some of the players.

Pictured to the left is U15 PEI goalie, Keegan Casey, and Georgia Swarm goalie and Team Canada athlete, Brett Dobson.

Both Keegan and Brett are Type 1 Diabetics, and were able to spend time sharing experiences.

Clinics and meet-ups like these are critical to fostering an enduring love for the game.

Great job, LPEI!

DID YOU KNOW?

Canadians in the NCAA Trivia Pt. II!

35!

There are 35 Canadians in the NCAA, across (D1) men’s and women’s., who wear #45. Sixteen athletes wear #17, and Fifteen wear #16. NCAA D1 Schools with double-digit Canadians on the rosters (men+women)?