Canadian Lacrosse Association – Highest level of Canadian amateur field lacrosse on display in Winnipeg on Labour Day Weekend

WINNIPEG, MB (June 8, 2016) – The 2016 U15 Alumni Cup and U18 First Nations Trophy will be awarded during the Canadian Field Lacrosse Championships at Buhler Park in Winnipeg, MB over the Labour Day long weekend.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host such a prestigious national event,” said Joey Lussier, Manitoba Lacrosse Association’s Tournament Committee Chair, who spearheaded the host bid. “We want to provide an memorable and positive experience for participants, team officials and all persons associated in any way with the tournament.”

Many reports pegged field lacrosse as one of the fastest growing high school sports in the United States. As a result, colleges and universities have raced to include men’s and women’s field lacrosse in the sports programming offered to student-athletes. This trend means an increased opportunity for Canadians to participate in US collegiate sports, which has led to an uptick in the popularity of field lacrosse here in Manitoba.

“Our field lacrosse game is growing here in Manitoba, and we really want to maximize the opportunity of hosting this national event to showcase the Manitoba Lacrosse Association as a valuable member of Canada’s lacrosse community,” said Paul Magnan, Manitoba Lacrosse Association President and Tournament Committee member. “These will be some of the country’s top players in their age group, with Ontario, British Columbia and the First Nation Lacrosse Association bringing very strong teams year after year. The rest of the provinces sort of fit in after those three, but upsets can happen as we all know.”

The 2016 championships will mark the first time since 2009 that the event will be held in Winnipeg. Magnan says the game of lacrosse has strong indigenous roots, and the spirit of those historical games, he says, remain to this day.

“It really is a fast and entertaining sport,” said Magnan. “At these levels, the degree of skill will be incredible and the competition will be fierce. However, the sportsmanship, mutual respect and camaraderie that the game was played with in the past by the indigenous founders remain paramount to all participants. There is an important connection to the spiritual origins of those early games, one that really connects us together to the game we all love and respect.”

For more information on the 2016 Alumni Cup and First Nations Trophy, visit the event website.

About the Canadian Lacrosse Association           

Founded in 1867, the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) is the governing body responsible for all aspects of lacrosse in Canada. Our organization is comprised of 10 Member Associations representing nearly 80,000 individual participants, including coaches, officials, and athletes of all ages and abilities. The CLA’s mission is to honour the sport of lacrosse and its unique nation-building heritage, by engaging our members, leading our partners, and providing opportunities for all Canadians to participate. We strive to accomplish this while adhering to our core values of health, excellence, accountability, respect and teamwork. The CLA oversees the delivery of numerous national championships and the participation of Team Canada at all international events sanctioned by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The CLA is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values, including our corporate partners – Warrior Sports, New Balance Athletics, Westjet, and Baron Rings – as well as our funding partners the Government of Canada, the Coaching Association of Canada, and the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation. For more information on Canadian Lacrosse Association and the sport of lacrosse, visit our website at www.lacrosse.ca and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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For more information, please contact:

Joey Lussier

Tournament Committee Chair

Manitoba Lacrosse Association

Phone: 204-998-8542

Email: lacrosse@sportmanitoba.ca

Alain Brouillette

Communications, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
Canadian Lacrosse Association
Phone: 613-260-2028 ext. 302
Email: alain@lacrosse.ca