We stand with the Shamrocks

Sept. 6, 2024 - Statement from the Western Lacrosse Association

In an email dated June 3, 2023, from the Director of National Championships for Lacrosse Canada, it was recommended to the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) that a Lacrosse Canada policy change be made in order to properly classify BC as a “Type 2” province at the Senior A level, and thereby enable the WLA the opportunity to pick up three players for the Mann Cup (Senior A national championship), which is consistent with existing policy for Canadian championships at both the Senior B and Junior A levels.

On May 26th, 2024, approximately 15 weeks ago, at Lacrosse Canada’s 2024 Semi-Annual meetings, the British Columbia Lacrosse Association (BCLA) put forward a policy that would classify BC as a “Type 2” province at the Senior A level and allow the WLA representative to pick up a maximum of three players from other WLA teams for the Mann Cup (Sr. A National Championship). That policy was supported by a detailed presentation outlining the rationale for such a move (available upon request). The policy, which was to be effective in 2024, was overwhelmingly approved by Lacrosse Canada Member Associations, by a vote of 10 to 1.

That approved policy change was included in a report shared with Lacrosse Canada in advance of a Lacrosse Canada Board meeting, July 17, 2024, 8 weeks following the Semi-Annual meeting.

On September 4th, 15 weeks following Lacrosse Canada’s 2024 Semi-Annual meetings, while the WLA Champion Victoria Shamrocks were literally in the air, enroute to Toronto, the Lacrosse Canada board conducted an e-vote, subsequently revoking the policy previously passed by 10 of 11 Member Associations, a policy that is consistent with existing Lacrosse Canada policy for

Canadian championships at both the Senior B and Junior A levels, thereby rendering two pick- up players on the Shamrocks roster ineligible for the Mann Cup. The timing of this decision is stunning and is just another example of incompetent leadership at Lacrosse Canada.

Our understanding is that Lacrosse Canada is to accept the direction of its national membership, unless a new rule or policy falls into one of three categories:

• Negatively impacts the safety of players

• Creates financial risk for Lacrosse Canada

• Is detrimental to the image and integrity of the game

Lacrosse Canada has not provided any rationale or reasoning for their decision, nor were the voting results publicized.

And to reiterate, the specific policy in question, approved overwhelmingly (10 – 1) by the membership 15 weeks ago at Lacrosse Canada’s 2024 Semi-Annual meetings is consistent with existing policy in the Lacrosse Canada Operations Manual, pertaining to Canadian championships at both the Senior B and Junior A levels.

On Sept. 5th, the WLA and Victoria Shamrocks offered Lacrosse Canada and the MSL four options, unanimously supported by the BCLA and WLA Board of Governors.

1. Lacrosse Canada review the facts and reverse their decision.

2. WLA and MSL agree to amend the Mann Cup Agreement permitting approved rostered

players’ eligibility.

3. WLA and MSL agree to permit players on the MA-approved rosters to play.

4. Victoria Shamrocks consider returning home.

At 8 pm eastern time on Thursday September 5th, Lacrosse Canada held an “emergency meeting”, at which time there was further discussion, and another vote was held. The WLA has been led to believe that a majority of Lacrosse Canada board members voted to support the policy as presented and approved by the members in May, however, apparently, the margin did not quite meet the two-thirds standard required for virtual votes, whereas a simple majority would have sufficed if it was an in-person meeting. Dissention apparently included, among others, a board member that also holds a senior position with the Ontario Lacrosse Association.

“Good governance” is among the roles & responsibilities Lacrosse Canada Board of Directors, and that requires being transparent & accountable to its members for outcomes and results. There are three major concerns related to procedural fairness and reasonable decision-making:

1. Lack of timeliness – The Lacrosse Canada Board of Directors voted down the policy while the Shamrocks were on the plane, 15 weeks after the Box Sector vote overwhelmingly approving the policy, despite the fact that the policy wording begins with "Effective in 2024 . . ."

2. There has been no justification offered as to why the Board voted to deny BC Sr A “Type 2” status when they have granted BC that status in other categories, i.e., Sr B., and despite the fact the BC has won only four Mann Cups in the last 24 years and one competition in the east in

the last 38 years. The LC Operations Manual 24.2.3 states that National Championships and Competitions should be perceived as competitive.

3. Lack of transparency - no reasoning for LC’s decision has been communicated.

Regrettably, Lacrosse Canada has once again miserably failed its members, just 48 hours prior to the most iconic championship in the game.

Their actions are arbitrary and unfair and an unfortunate reflection of a lack of strategic leadership and a history of disgraceful incompetence, bias, and mismanagement.

With the support of the WLA, the Victoria Shamrocks have chosen to respect the wishes of their players that have earned the right to compete for the Mann Cup and will play the series beginning this evening in Six Nations, however, they do so under appeal & protest.

The Shamrocks, the WLA, and BCLA will continue to appeal the Lacrosse Canada decision and reserve the right to pursue further action following the Mann Cup.