Welcome to the Commissioner?s blog. Thanks for visiting this site. This blog is a new and exciting venture for the Western Lacrosse Association.
One of the goals of the WLA is to grow its fan base and this forum is provided as an opportunity for the league and its teams to engage this fan base.
Questions or comments can be directed to the WLA or to any of its member teams.
There will be some simple ground rules in order for you to have your comments published.
Please be respectful, use acceptable language, and keep your comments relevant to the WLA , it?s member teams or to lacrosse in general.
We look forward to your comments and reaction, let?s have some fun with this.
Casey Cook,
The Salmonbellies have signed Milan Gajic and Cory Melville , they both will be joining the Bellies MAIN CAMP Opening March 31st. Milan captained 2 Minto Cup Champions with the Junior Burnaby Lakers and will join his Brothers Nenad, Ilija and Alex at Camp. Cory comes back to the Bellies after a 3 year hiatus and both will add veteran presence and leadership to the 2012 Bellies.
Mann Cup Champions 1955, 1957, 1979, 1983, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005 Press Release: February 14, 2012 The Victoria Shamrocks Select Seven Local Players in 2012 WLA Draft The Western Lacrosse Association Draft was held on Monday, February 6, 2012 at the Firefighters Club in Burnaby. The Victoria Shamrocks were pleased to select a total of nine players, seven of whom are from Greater Victoria and three who played for the Victoria Junior Shamrocks last year. With their first round pick, sixth...
Hello Governors.
I just returned to the Lower Mainland, I wanted to thank several people for the great show the WLA put on at the Draft on Feb 6th.
Some relevant numbers from the night:
66 – Number of draft eligible players taken by WLA teams.
7 – Number of teams that improved that night
200 – Estimated number of people at the event.
600+ – Number of sites that accessed the webcast.
129 – Number of WLALAX twitter followers two months ago
309 – number of WLALAX twitter followers currently.
80 – number of WLALAX twitter followers who signed up in 24 hr. period surrounding the draft.
Unlimited – potential for using social media to promote, inform and entertain current and potential fans and supporters.
Dozens- number of people to thank for the success of the evening.
Sohen – for spearheading the evening, MCing and looking after the myriad of details necessary to have a successful evening.
All team representatives for the countless hours of preparation for, and performing at, the event.
Mike McEwan and crew for doing the webcast
Jake Elliott and Teddy Jenner for commentating the webcast
Rocky Winterton for technical expertise and logistical support.
Dave Showers for twitter content
Jeff Gombar for media guide, press releases, technical and logistical support
Gloria Seigner for photography.
BCLA for supplying media guide.
I know there are names I have omitted. My apologies.
Thanks to all,
Casey Cook,
Commissioner,
Western Lacrosse Association
GreatViewing in Sunny Climes Just a short note to Lacrosse fans and to the NLL.I am sitting in my unit inPueroVallartaMexico, watchingan NLLgame, live. Calgary is playingToronto, not the most riveting first halflacrosse, but I am sure the2nd half will be very entertaining.Great towatchlacrossein Mexico. CaseyCook.
Working together to address challenges The January meeting of the WLA is a very important time to address issues for the coming year. During my short time ( 8months ) with the league I have been very impressed with the Governors commitment to provide the best product possible for fans. At the meeting tonight, several items on the agenda were dealt with, the most pressing one was putting the final touches on preparation for the draft of Junior players. Assistant commissioner, SohenGill has been...
Marisa Ingemi asked us to pass this along: Lacrosse Radio Network Continues to Pour Out Elite Lacrosse Content Lacrosse Radio Network continues tremendous growth New Hampshire- Another week of Lacrosse Radio Network is in the books, and once again it brings some of the top audio in the lacrosse world. This week in the Lacrosse Radio Network started out on Saturday night, when the Ohsweken Demons and Durham Turf Dogs faced off in Canadian Lacrosse League action. Stephen Stamp and Matthew...
The Maple Ridge Burrards (WLA) are proud to announce a new addition to their management staff:
Rey Comeault will join the club as the Assistant General Manager. Rey will assist with the WLA draft preparation, evaluate current roster players and be responsible for communication and recruitment of unrestricted free agent players located throughout Canada.
Rey has been actively involved in field and box lacrosse for over 15 years in Ridge Meadows. His most recent box lacrosse experience was with the Langley Thunder Junior ‘A’ as the head coach for over two seasons. He is currently an Assistant Coach of Team BC’s U-19 Field Lacrosse.
“Rey has worked at the Provincial level for many years and most recently with Canada’s U-19 National team giving him immense knowledge of the upcoming graduating classes. His insights and experience as a coach will provide us with detailed, current information to help us to build for the future, return to the playoffs and battle for the Mann Cup” said Daren Fridge, Maple Ridge GM and Head Coach.
Rey is married to Sandra and has three children: Reegan (who attends Ohio State University) Shannon and Zachary (Zack).
Daren Fridge
General Manager/ Head Coach
Maple Ridge Burrards (WLA)
604-506-2941
The Nanaimo Timbermen Lacrosse Club has announced that Bill Bestwick has joined the organization as the Director of Business operations and Lacrosse Development.
This comes on the heels of Nanaimo T-Men owner Hadi Abassi's announcment that he has acquired the Junior and Intermediate Lacrosse Clubs in Nanaimo, and has almalgamated all three teams under one umbrella.
Bill brings considerable experience at the executive and management levels in sports in the Nanaimo area. He previously operated the Nanaimo Clippers hockey club. Bill is also a member of City Council in Nanaimo.
For the write-up in the Nanaimo Daily News, go to:
http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=c5c5dcc3-fdf9-42c0-8e1b-befccd4332cd&p=2
Langley Events Centre hosts World Class Event With all of the great events for sportsfans this weekend, under the radar, a world-class event has been taking place at the LEC, which is the home of the WLA'sLangley Thunder. While lacrosse fans have been focusing on the NLL, and the NFL needs no additional hype, the Continental Cup of Curling has been taking place. The concept of having North America against the World, the format of eight end curling matches, mixed in with skins competition...
Recap today's NLLgames. Several WLA players had notable games today. For all the scores info etc. go to:http://www.nll.com/news_article/show/128979?referrer_id=389123
We've just been handed a note from Sr. Salmonbellies President Dan Richardson that players from his club will be attending the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association registration tomorrow at Queens Park Arena. The registration will be taking place from 10:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M. Players will be on hand to sign autographs and will be distributing team pictures and schedules. While you're at the arena, take a look next door at the new first class all-weather field which will be a great...
By way of a tweet from the Victoria Shamrocks we present a story from the Everett Herald. We forward this story on Nanaimo T-Men Head Coach and Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Famer Art Webster. Art is filling in as the Head Coach of the Washington Stealth while Chris Hall is taking time off for treatment for throat cancer.
To Chris, from the W.L.A. best wishes , our thoughts and prayers are with you for a successful outcome to your treatment.
To Art, make Chris proud, we know you two are great buds. We wish you success.
The story: http://fb.me/1vlAZl5TF
Congratulations go out to Carly Rigby, Media/ PR Manager of the New Westminster Salmonbellies on her joining the IL Indoor group. Read her inaugural columnhttp://www.ilindoor.com/2012/01/12/west-coast-report-cornwall-heads-wla-junior-draft-prospects/ Well done Carly!!
The following information was passed to us by Coquitlam Adanacs President Ed Ponsart. Please support your lacrosse team, meet some players, team personnel,and have a lot of fun while you're doing it.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Queen of All Saints Hall
1405 Como Lake Avenue, Coquitlam, B.C.
1st & Every 25th Ticket Drawn $ 75
dozens of other prizes
Maximum number of tickets sold 250
Spectacular Buffet Dinner
Includes Refreshments
Games of Chance
or email Ed Ponsart : ed@vitalgraphix.com
The Langley Thunder and the Coquitlam Adanacs, of the Western Lacrosse Association have completed a trade today. The trade is as follows: The Coquitlam Adanacs have acquired from the Thunder, the playing rights to Aaron Bold. Bold played the 2011 lacrosse season with the Brooklin Redmen of the Ontario Major Lacrosse Series. He was listed on the Langley player hold-out list last year. In return, the Langley Thunder have acquired the 9th overall selection in the 2012 draft. The 9th selection originally...
The following tweet was picked up from the Nanaimo Daily News:
The Headline and wording is that of the tweet.
Abassi amasses local empire through unmatched passion for sports and businesses http://bit.ly/xNKSEi #Nanaimo
From the Commissioner's office: The following announcement from the Lacrosse Radio Network is great news. The Western Lacrosse Association is working with In Lax We Trust manager Marisa Ingemi and there will soon be further news that a show focusing on the WLAwill be commencing in April. The Lacrosse Radio Network Announces Launch To Help Lacrosse Fans Hear The Voices of the Game January 9th For Immediate Release Lacrosse Radio Network Connects Lacrosse Fans to the Sport New Hampshire-...
The Salmonbellieshave made the following announcement: January 6, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bellies’ 2012 Coaching staff complete The New Westminster Senior Salmonbellies are pleased to announce the appointment of Sheldon Palidwor to the position of Assistant Coach for the upcoming season. He will be joining Head Coach Ken Thomas and Assistant Coach Chris Gill on the bench. Sheldon has a long and distinguished association with the Salmonbellies’ organization. After playing...
The LaxRadioNetwork was on the air today, Jan.6, 2012. Host Marisa Ingemi interviews Andrew McBride NLL player Andrew McBride, WLA Commissioner Casey Cook and NLL/WLA game play by play commentator Jake Elliott.
Have A listen.
