Lacrosse Canada Newsletter
Vol. 9
End-of-Season Wrap-Up
University Lacrosse Champions
The season has just ended for Men’s and Women’s University Lacrosse, and these leagues were full of action and excitement on both sides!
On the CUFLA Men’s side, the Western Mustangs became the 2024 Baggataway Cup Champions for the second year in a row. The finals were hosted by Brock University at the Kiwanis Field in St. Catharines, where the Mustangs faced the Queens Gaels and defeated them in an 11-3 victory
So many families were there supporting their loved ones, including Jennifer, whose son Logan is the goalie for the Western team She expressed how proud she is of his accomplishments, saying, "He was fortunate enough to be on the team last year, and for them to be back in this position this year is really special. I’m just so proud of him." Jennifer went on to highlight the close bonds formed through lacrosse, noting, "For Logan, it's like a brotherhood Lacrosse is such a close-knit family ”
Congratulations to the Western Mustangs for a remarkable run and we would also like to give a big shoutout to the Queens Gaels for playing great lacrosse and giving it their all on the field Special shoutout goes to Jacob Hickey from the Western Mustangs for winning the title of the 2024 Baggatawa
On the women’s side, w the Queen’s Gaels, who capped off an undefeat omen’s Lacrosse Championship title. In t Ontario Tech with a 15-4 victory, avenging last year’s loss depth, with 10 players contributing to the win
The championship was ines, Ont This marks a significant achievemen mption after a tough 2023 season.
A special shout-out to O medal in program history, taking home the silver. Congratulations to both teams on their incredible performances and hard work!
A Historic Moment for the Sport Team Indigenous at World Sixes
Lacrosse Canada is incredibly proud to recognize the groundbreaking achievements of Team Indigenous at the Men’s World Sixes Lacrosse Tournament in Vancouver. A huge thank you goes out to Indigenous coaches Wayne Kaboni and Bernard ‘Buzz’ Manuel, and also Kevin Sandy for putting this together. The team’s performance was a memorable occasion for the sport and for Indigenous communities across Canada
Coaches Kaboni and Manuel, both experienced and passionate about the game, brought not only their lacrosse expertise but also a deep sense of cultural pride and responsibility to the team Their leadership inspired the young athletes to represent their communities, families, and broader Indigenous heritage while competing against top teams, in Canada and Mexico
The athletes, Marcelo Raygn Bose and Dakota Grismer-Voght, both local to Merritt, demonstrated incredible skill throughout the competition. Despite facing some of the world’s best teams, the players’ growth over the course of the tournament was clear.
This performance highlights the significance of lacrosse in Indigenous culture, For these athletes and coaches, the tournament was not just about competition it was about honoring their heritage and sharing the sport's rich history with a global audience
This achievement is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural representation in sport and the impact of mentorship. The coaches' emphasis on teamwork and selfbelief, combined with the players’ dedication, marks an inspiring chapter in the story of lacrosse in Canada.
Lacrosse Canada is proud to see Indigenous athletes and coaches leading the way and breaking new ground, not only in their athletic pursuits but in fostering greater awareness and appreciation for the cultural roots of the game This moment will undoubtedly inspire future generations to reach for their own dreams, both on and off the field.
First Female Scout in NLL History
Congratulations to Shonly Wallace!
Lacrosse Canada is thrilled to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of Shonly Wallace, who has made history as the first female scout in National Lacrosse League (NLL) history. Her appointment to this role is a significant milestone for both the sport and for women in lacrosse!
Shonly’s journey to this historic moment is a testament to her passion for the game, her dedication, and her commitment to breaking barriers Growing up in British Columbia, Shonly's love for box lacrosse began at a very early age, and since then she has had an amazing and memorable pathway in the sport!
Shonly recently won a silver medal with Team Canada at the World Lacrosse Box Championships and is currently an assistant coach at Central Michigan University Shonly spent her college career split between Stony Brook, Oregon, and Albany The Mission BC native has created quite a name for herself in the lacrosse community, and this will only continue.
As a product of her unique talent, experience, and expertise, Shonly was given the opportunity to become the NLL’s first female scout a role in which she will evaluate up-and-coming talent, helping to identify the next generation of players for the League Shonly’s responsibility will be crucial in spotting top Canadian and American talent in college lacrosse, providing her with an important role in shaping the future of the NLL.
At Lacrosse Canada, we couldn’t be more proud of Shonly Wallace and the mark she’s leaving on the sport. Her achievements inspire us all, and we look forward to watching her continued success in this new chapter of her career Shonly is not just making history she’s helping to shape the future of lacrosse for generations to come
Congratulations, Shonly! We are incredibly proud of all you ’ ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what’s next.
3 New Board Members Elected at Annual Meeting
Lacrosse Canada is proud to announce the 3 new board members who were elected in last week at our AGM meeting in Toronto. We would first like to thank everybody who put their name in for the role and we hope you all continue to have a positive influence in lacrosse through other roles.
Athlete Director: Zach Currier
Zach Currier is a professional lacrosse player known for his tenacious defensive play and all-around versatility. A standout in both box and field lacrosse, Currier has earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic and relentless players in the game. Currently a member of the San Diego Seals, Zach has had a Hall of Fame career up to this point He has also represented Canada numeruous times, most recently in Utica this past September where he helped Canada take home a gold medal He is also the current President of the NLL’s Players Association.
Director-At-Large: Barbara Lockhart
Barbara Lockhart joins Lacrosse Canada after serving on the boards of Basketball Ontario, Kids Now, and OslerBrook Golf and Country Club With a career spanning media, events, family entertainment, and the not-for-profit sector, she now runs her own HR and executive search firm, SmartHire Human Capital Solutions, working with several Indigenous organizations A lifelong athlete, coach, and administrator, Barbara is deeply passionate about lacrosse, having spent 15 years immersed in the sport with her two sons, one of whom plays lacrosse at Saint Joseph’s University She looks forward to using her experience and network to support the lacrosse community across Canada, including Indigenous communities.
Director-At-Large: Stephen Leblanc
Stephan LeBlanc is a retired Canadian lacrosse player who played 12 seasons in the NLL for the Toronto Rock, New England Black Wolves, Halifax Thunderbirds, and Georgia Swarm Drafted by the Rock in 2009, he won NLL Rookie of the Year honors in 2010 after a standout debut season. LeBlanc retired in November 2022 and was inducted into the Queens Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020, becoming the second men's lacrosse player to receive the honor Stephen now looks to use his lacrosse experience and knowledge to help grow the game, especially in the East Coast, where Stephan now resides.
Lacrosse Canada Bench Unveiled
Celebrating a Milestone in Our History
On September 26, 2024, a significant moment in lacrosse history took place with the unveiling of the Lacrosse Canada Bench at the INVISTA Sports Centre in Kingston, Ontario This bench honors the founding of Lacrosse Canada, which was established in 1867 in Kingston.
The event marked the 157th anniversary of Lacrosse Canada, the first national sport governing body in North America. In 1867, 52 delegates from 27 lacrosse clubs in Ontario and Quebec gathered in Kingston to create the National Association of La Crosse, setting the foundation for the sport’s governance in Canada
The Lacrosse Canada Bench, made of granite, serves as a permanent reminder of lacrosse's roots in Canada. A bronze plaque will soon be added, and both the bench and plaque feature text in English, French, and Mohawk, reflecting the sport’s Indigenous heritage.
This unveiling celebrates lacrosse’s historical importance in Canada and its return to the Olympic Games in 2028, marking an exciting future for the sport The bench is a tribute to the legacy and growth of lacrosse in Canadian culture.
We are proud to commemorate this moment in our history and grateful for the continued growth and future of lacrosse in Canada! Thank you to the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation (CLF) for making these memorable moments possible.
Bardown Black Friday
Make sure to grab your Lacrosse Canada Merchandise this week for the Black Friday sale! 30% off!
