Statement from the Western Lacrosse Association

Given all the controversy in the sporting world today are we or is anyone really shocked that there is a question surrounding the Mann Cup Lacrosse Championship.

It seems to be a “he said – she said” topic that there are issues on each side regarding eligible players who are looking to suit up.

The following is a statement from the WLA – Stay Tuned!!

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.