Moving Forward

While many simply don’t know lacrosse is Canada’s National Summer Sport and hockey is our National Winter Sport, which was put in place a few years back.

Also known as the fastest game on two feet, it’s a game where there is no quitting and the transition is something to watch when you take in a game.

The senior level of lacrosse in the BC is the Western Lacrosse Association, which get’s it fill of players from the BC Junior A Lacrosse League, with several players stepping right to the line-up and not missing a step.

This season saw an exciting season final with the Maple Ridge Burrards traveling East in hopes of pulling off a Mann Cup Championship, only to be sent home searching for the next opportunity to represent the west.

Following the season end, the league was in search of a new commissioner as Ernie Truant would step aside (depending on who you spoke to) and the search was on.

Nothing was mentioned at the recent Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductees Banquet in New West, but the floor was open.

Now we are hearing that the WLA have made it official and announced that they have unanimously agreed to terms with Paul Dal Monte as the leagues new Commissioner.

He has an extensive lacrosse background which included a six-time Minto Cup Champion with Burnaby (three as a player/three as a Coach), three-time Man Cup Champion (as a player) with New Westminster as well as Head Coach of the Vancouver Ravens of the NLL.

He has  an extensive background in the sports business which include 15 years in Brand/Marketing with the Vancouver Canucks.

He has also worked as a consultant with the Ottawa Senators, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Abbotsford Heat, and Langley Events Centre.

One of the industry’s most respected marketing executives, Paul currently leads a digital fan experience team for TELUS.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the WLA and work with General Managers and the Board of Governors to take the League to the next level,” said Mr. Dal Monte. “I’m especially looking forward to leveraging my relationships in the Canadian lacrosse community, and the long history and competitive nature of the WLA to expand the profile of the WLA in the Canadian sports scene.”

Congratulations to Paul on his appointment and to the WLA in moving forward in such an expedient fashion.

Looking forward to the 2017 Season and beyond!!

For further info please contact:

Dan Richardson, Chair, Board of Govenors

E-mail: dlck@shaw.ca