Earlier in the day while taking in a Vancouver Giants game I had the chance to reflect on the past year thinking about how various things have changed.
It’s not just about the sporting world which has and continues to not necessarily embrace change we must understand how changes are affecting the world.
It’s not just the past year but quite possibly over the past five years that has changed in part due to the Covid Pandemic as well as changes to pro sports.
Sports has changed from paper to the overall computerised technological changes for both teams which affects both commercial and business for all sports teams and leagues.
This impact has been affected given the increase with social media with athletes reacting to the way in which fans can now connect with sports.
It’s fair to say that the pro Athletes play a huge “influencer status” reaching the fan base who find themselves being engulfed in the sports betting world which clearly reaches out to all levels and ages.
Big business as we have seen are eager to “eat up”, capture and look at all games in a new light when it comes to high finance.
Locally hockey fans were wishing and more so dreaming of a Stanley Cup run for the Canucks which never happened – again!
New Year’s Resolutions were made and never kept and with hockey winding down Lacrosse was in full swing with the Vancouver Warriors entertaining their solid fan base at Rogers Arena.
Try as they might they only managed a record of 8-10 with 202 goals for and 211 against with Keegan Ball leading the team with 40 GF, 56 GA and 15 PP goals for the squad that finished 12th in the 15 team league.
The Warriors alone have a solid working relationship with the minor lacrosse community in the area all due to community involvement starting with Head Coach Curt Malawsky whose name in the area “ oozes” lacrosse.
From the Warriors the community quickly turns to the Vancouver Canadians who play at the “Nat” as it is commonly known as.
If you’ve never attended a game your quite possibly missing out on some of the best ball in the area not taking away from the minor baseball in the area who have lots to offer at your local ball diamond.
They were unable to win another championship but they were entertaining given that North Delta’s former minor ball player Brent Lavallee is their manager who in his minor days played goal for North Delta MHA.
Ball in the area continues to grow and if you were unable to catch a game you could have taken in some minor lacrosse games at your local rinks.
While the game is Canada’s National Summer Sport it has some interesting and unique rules that requires you to grasp before attending a game or better yet go to a game with someone who knows and understands the game.
If that doesn’t fancy your liking you can always catch some Delta Islanders games on Sportswave which streams all Junior games for your viewing pleasure.
Let’s not forget the BC Lions were in the hunt to finish playing in the CFL Grey Cup which they were hosting but for various reasons which we leave to the team were unable to reach the pinnacle of success being winning the League Championship.
Overall the past year for Sportswave was fun and we appreciate your support at all events we have covered.
The past year we have been fortunate to post some “first class” photos on the site thanks to Mark Steffens, Wes Shaw and last but not least Laird Allan who has been with us since the start in addition to the newest member Jagraj Lalli.
The past year was a roller coaster given the ever changing landscape in various leagues which will continue given the ever changing elected personnel who either get involved for the betterment of the game or want to put their agenda first.
The last part seldom works but it will continue with normally the root of all evil being money and wanting to promote their Son or Daughter to the next level rather than a league first policy.
Sportswave continues to be involved and if you have a sport you want to promote feel free to reach out for live streaming your games, promoting your sport as well as advertising for various businesses in your area.
Without the support of your community and local business youth sport will no longer continue which simply put is a sad state in today;s world.
Sport isn’t cheap in various communities throughout the Province and we recommend that you contact “KidSport” in your area for assistance if needed.
They are a great organization and are in sport for all the right reasons.
On behalf of the Sportswave Team we wish you a Happy and a Safe 2025
