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WLA BlogMajor Rule Change for 2014 Draft
One Territorial Protection per team -2014In a major change to league rules, the WLA Governors determined that each team will be allowed one territorial protection for the 2014 draft. This means that each team can protect one player from its designated geographical area, and that this player will not be considered draft eligible. The proposed change, has been before league for several years, and at this years AGM, the league Governors gave approval. The wording of the motion that passed, is as follows:
11.01 Territorial Protection of Draft Eligible Players
11.06.1 Timing and Deadlines 11.06.1.1 Territorial protection will take place no later than 7 days before the WLA entry draft at a closed WLA meeting or conference call. 11.06.1.2 A list of players eligible to be protected will be made available to all teams 30 days before the WLA entry draft. 11.06.1.3 Territorial protection shall begin at the 2014 WLA Draft in order to allow for all material current existing trades involving draft picks to be completed and unaffected. 11.06.2 Eligibility: Players’ eligibility for territorial protection to be based on both the following requirements being filled: 11.06.2.1 As of May 1st of the player’s graduating year, the player must be a current registered player with the affiliated BCJALL club for at least 24 months, and; 11.06.2.2 The player must be a current and established resident of the affiliated club’s assigned geographic area for the 36 months before May 1st of the player’s graduating year. 11.06.3 Junior A Club Affiliation 11.06.3.1 Junior A club affiliations and assigned geographic residency areas may be reviewed on an annual basis in order to ensure relative equity for all WLA teams. 11.06.3.2 WLA / Junior club affiliations (and residency) are as follows: 11.06.3.2.1 Burnaby / Burnaby (Burnaby) 11.06.3.2.2 Coquitlam / Coquitlam (Coquitlam) 11.06.3.2.3 Langley / Langley (Langley) 11.06.3.2.4 Maple Ridge / Port Coquitlam (Port Coquitlam) 11.06.3.2.5 Nanaimo / Nanaimo (anything outside of Greater Victoria) 11.06.3.2.6 New Westminster / New Westminster (New Westminster) 11.06.3.2.7 Victoria / Victoria (Greater Victoria) 11.06.4 Protection Procedure: 11.06.4.1 Each team may protect up to a maximum of 1 player. 11.06.4.2 Each team in order of the previous playing year's final league standings (see 18.04 Expansion Guidelines) must declare which (if any) players they wish to protect. 11.06.4.3 Each team that chooses not to use their maximum allowance of 1 protected player will receive 1 compensatory draft pick. All compensatory draft picks will be listed in reverse order of the previous playing year's final league standings (see 18.04 Expansion Guidelines), and used to select any draft eligible player on draft night before the regular draft begins. 11.06.4.4 Territorial protection rights and compensatory picks are not tradable assets – they can only be used by the team they were originally intended for. 11.06.4.5 Once a player is protected or drafted under these guidelines, roster and player movement policy as set out in Section 8.0 shall apply. (Rationale: to introduce territorial rights in order to allow teams to protect their top “community” player, while not adversely affecting trades already completed in good faith and not putting those teams with undeveloped affiliate and/or demographic bases at a competitive disadvantage.)
WLA holds AGM
The Western Lacrosse Association held its AGM on Dec.10th. The major issues determined are listed below. Thanks to outgoing Chair of the WLA, Bill Hicks, for a job very well done. The new Chair for 2012 will be Rob Buchan Jr. of the Langley Thunder. 2012 Season Schedule and Draft Dates set, one major rule change for 2014The Western Lacrosse Association opens its season on May 18, 2012 with Victoria visiting Burnaby. In addition, the draft date of graduating Juniors will be held on Feb.9, 2012 at the Burnaby Firefighter's Club. One item of huge impact will see the teams of the WLA being able to have one territorial protection in the draft starting in 2014. There may be some minor changes, but here's the schedule:
NLL and the BCLA
BCLA President Issues Letter on Behalf of the BCLASohen Gill issued the following letter on behalf of the BCLA after a column by Steve Ewen in the Vancouver Province. It should be noted, that the Western Lacrosse Association is in full concurrence with this letter. Casey Cook, Commissioner, Western Lacrosse Association. Letter From Mr. Gill:December 9, 2011 There have been recent discussions about whether or not our thousands of amateur lacrosse volunteers from across British Columbia, from the provincial sport organization to community associations and leagues, support the professional National Lacrosse League and the potential of a team returning to BC in the future. Let’s get our facts straight about the BC Lacrosse Association, the Western Lacrosse Association and all of our (over 7,000) community lacrosse volunteers with regard to the upcoming NLL Exhibition game between the Washington Stealth and Toronto Rock at the Langley Events Centre (LEC) on Saturday, December 10th beginning at 7:00 PM. This information has been on the BCLA and WLA website home pages since July 2011. As of this morning, the LEC anticipates a sell-out crowd for tomorrow night. This is largely due to the part that the BC Lacrosse community played in not only promoting this event, but also, as the foundation of lacrosse fans who purchased these tickets to watch some of the best home-grown professional box lacrosse athletes in the world. The BC Lacrosse Association (BCLA) holds its Annual General Meeting in Whistler each year, hosting approximately 500 lacrosse leaders from across the province. These community lacrosse leaders are the conduit of communication between the BCLA and their own community lacrosse volunteers and athletes. The Langley Events Centre (LEC) was invited to have a major presence at this weekend event held October 15-17, 2011 to promote this exhibition game, front and centre, through a flyer in each of the registration packages given to every participant, participating in our sponsor display hospitality evening, by being included in the agendas during our Minor Directorate Special Session, and by holding a draw for tickets at the AGM Awards Banquet. Subsequently, an LEC representative was invited to attend a Lower Mainland Minor Lacrosse Commission meeting to further promote this game. In the spirit of partnership, the LEC generously offered to allow the Lower Mainland Commission to hold the 50-50 draw during this game which will enhance the participation of lacrosse in the Greater Vancouver area. The BCLA hosts an on-line Community of Practice where we connect with approximately 1,600 community lacrosse leaders and we have posted continual messages encouraging our members to attend the upcoming NLL game. The BCLA produces a provincial newspaper with a circulation of 12,000 households in BC where an advertisement and an article promoting the game were included in the Sept/2011 edition. The BCLA has purchased tickets to include some of our volunteers to attend Saturday’s game in celebration of professional lacrosse and the potential return of the NLL to BC. Lacrosse is a great game. Lacrosse does deserve better. BC amateur lacrosse is run by the most amazing group of dedicated, passionate volunteers who do “walk the talk” and would love nothing better than to have a National Lacrosse League franchise return to British Columbia. Here’s hoping that tomorrow night’s game between the Stealth and the Rock is the beginning of a strategy to bring professional lacrosse back to BC. Yours in lacrosse, Sohen Gill, President
BC Lacrosse Association
NLL returns to Vancouver area.
The National Lacrosse League's Toronto Rock will play the Washington Stealth at the Langley Events centre on Dec 10, 2011. For information regarding tickets please go to: WLA AGM Dec 10, 2011
The Western Lacrosse Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting at the Langley Events Centre on Sat, Dec 10, 2011. There are some issues of substance that will be discussed, as well as a fair amount of "housekeeping" issues. Stay tuned to this site, or the WLA website for more information after the meetings on the 10th.
Awards Night at the BCLA AGM
As viewers can see from the pictures below, the theme for the volunteer appreciation dinner and entertainment evening was "Aloha Night". The BCLA staff did a great job to ensure that the evening was a superb event. As the saying goes," a great time was had by all". All of the winners, despite appearances, were very worthy recipients of the awards presented. Congratulations to all of the winners, and to all of the nominees. My appreciation to the photographer, Jeff Gombar, for the use of these photos. The text accompanying the photographs was what was read out at the event, as each of the presentations were made.
As a team who started the season facing adversity and challenges, this Head Coach worked with his Assistants to overcome all obstacles in this group’s way. Starting the season with spring workouts, the coaching staff set the stage for success from the first practice into the playoffs. Clear and concise communication provided seamless transition, the coaches instituting new systems for many of the players. Against all odds, this team took the playoffs and represented BC at the 2011 Mann Cup Senior A Lacrosse Championships. This year’s John Cavallin Award for Seniors goes to Rod Jensen, Head Coach of the Langley Thunder Lacrosse Club. I’d ask that Assistant Coach, Darcy Rhodes, come up to accept the Award on Langley Thunder’s behalf.
Dad has served on the Executive for his Minor Lacrosse Association for ten years and coaches both boys and girls box lacrosse. He organizes a program that recruits new players under the age of 10, coaches the coaches, and nurtures relationships with the Senior Clubs and the City to ensure further the game of lacrosse within their community. Mom runs tournaments, assists with Championships, and does those little extras for all of the kids within the organization. Son and Daughter both coach younger kids, he is a clock operator for many teams, she is a referee in both boys and girls lacrosse…for this family, Lacrosse is not only a game…it is a lifestyle. To a family who demonstrates the SPIRIT of Lacrosse in their volunteer service, please join me in congratulating the Ted Fridge Family Spirit 2011 Award winners -- the Goss Family – Warren, Shawna, Emily and Hayden!
From community field lacrosse to the 2011 U19/U16 National Championships, this determined, energetic volunteer knows how to rally the troupes and create first-class events, from provincials to nationals for athletes, coaches, officials and fans. A builder and advocate of youth field lacrosse in our province, for the 2nd consecutive year, we are pleased to present the 2011 Art Daoust Executive of the Year for Field Lacrosse, Dirk Rachfall, Chair of the Pacific Coast Field Lacrosse League.
Over 30 years of experience in both box and field lacrosse, first introduced as a team parent in the mid-80’s, this individual’s positive, boisterous nature, wonderful sense of humour, and selfless dedication to the game of Lacrosse provides evidence that this volunteer is an excellent leader who promotes a positive image for Lacrosse in our country. Noticing the need for further development and advocacy for “box lacrosse’s funny-looking little sister”, this became a pet project for this individual. Stepping into the roles of Vice Chair and Chair of the BCLA Field Directorate, then representing BC at the CLA table as the National Field Sector Chair, this person stepped back into the Chair role a couple of years ago. Her passion, commitment, fairness and boundless energy to the game of Lacrosse is the reason that the 2011 Tom Gordon Mrs. Lacrosse Award is being awarded to Deb Stocks.
Giving hundreds upon hundreds of volunteer physiotherapy hours, the ability to treat players, provide guidance in therapy, preventative maintenance, and overall fitness types is invaluable. Introduced to and falling in love with lacrosse about five years ago, these two New Westminster Salmonbellies are passionate about the health and well-being of the athletes in their care. The 2011 Trainer of the year goes to Steve Mah and Jason Coolen of the New Westminster Salmonbellies Senior A Lacrosse Club.
Minor Box One of the pools of volunteer talent for service not only drawn for their own community association, but also recruited within their Commission, on Directorates and Technical Support Groups, this association always stepping forward for tournaments, provincials and national championships. Their involvement and support has been noticed by the media, respected by the municipal government and enjoyed by the entire community. Maintaining a very high enrollment in both box and field lacrosse, for boys and girls, this year saw the association begin a school program in partnership with the City and School Board that reached over 900 kids in two elementary schools in financially stressed areas of the City. This association could write the book on how to create a true community lacrosse family who is committed to running a first-class organization while offering opportunities like camps, family days, tournaments, along with regular season, provincial and national events. Leading the way and consistently creating ambassadors for the sport of Lacrosse within their association…it is our pleasure to announce the 2011 Leon Hall Minor Box Lacrosse Association of the Year, the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association.
WLA meeting in Whistler
The WLA meeting in whistler was highlited by a very ambitious agenda. It was a very productive meeting. All clubs were in attendance, with Bill Hicks in the Chair. The Coquitlam Adanacs new President, Ed Ponsart was introduced, as was the club's G.M., Randy Delmonico. Randy is currently involved in a race of his own, running as a candidate for City Council in Coquitlam. Very comprehensive financial reports for League Play, Playoffs and the Mann Cup series were presented. Kudos to League Treasurer, Ken Thomas, for a very professional presentation. Discussions included rule changes, preparations for the AGM of the WLA ( to be held in Dec.) the Draft (to be held in Feb.) and a fair number of league housekeeping issues. Good meeting, lots accomplished. Concussions - great educational material.
In going through the agenda for the meetings in Whistler, I read an entry from the Semiahmoo Minor Lacrosse Association regarding concussions. Kudos to the Semiahmoo group for taking the time and initiative to bring this issue forward. The issue of concussions, prevention, detection, treatment, and much more, are thoroughly discussed here. You can go to the information by going to: Think First - Pensez d'Abordwww.thinkfirst.ca/ |
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John Cavallin Senior Box Lacrosse Coach of the Year (Rod Jensen)
Ted Fridge Family Spirit Award (The Goss Family – Warren, Shawna, Emily and Hayden, New Westminster)
Art Daoust Merit Award
Tom Gordon Plaque (Deb Stocks, BCLA Field Directorate Chair, Nanaimo)
Dal Martin Merit Award (Steve Mah and Jason Coolen, New Westminster Senior A)