Message from the President
Greetings to lacrosse fans from across the Durham Region and beyond!
2006 marks an exciting milestone in the history of the Clarington Green Gaels Junior “B” Lacrosse Club as we celebrate our 60th anniversary. From the earliest musings of Jim “Mr. Lacrosse” Bishop in 1946, our storied club has travelled the highways of Ontario over the years always in search of lacrosse excellence. From Toronto in the late 40’s and early 50’s, to stops in Newmarket, Mimico and Huntsville in the late 50’s, Green Gaels became familiar with the laurels of success.
In 1962 the Green Gaels found their home in the Durham Region. Since then the club has reached the pinnacle of Canadian Junior lacrosse on 11 occasions with 7 straight Junior “A” Minto Cups from 1963-69 in Oshawa and 4 Junior “B” Founders Trophies in the past 8 years here in Clarington.
That winning tradition continues as we head into our 60th season. This year the Clarington Green Gaels will host the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Junior “B” All Star Game on June 17th, as well as the 2006 edition of the Green Gael Alumni Game. We have many special events planned so tune into The Rock 94.9 FM for updates, or check out our website at www.greengaels.org.
Championships, winning traditions and lacrosse excellence require a dedicated and hard working group of players on the floor to demonstrate that Green Gael Pride. However, there is another group of ‘players’ without whom the club would struggle. Therefore I would like to take this moment, on behalf of the Clarington Green Gaels, to thank those behind-the-scenes people who contribute so much to the club and our success.
Foremost is a hearty thank you to the Municipality of Clarington and staff who continue to make our home at the Garnet B. Rickard Complex such a top notch facility, where enjoying a Clarington Green Gael game is safe, comfortable and family friendly.
We owe a debt of gratitude to our local community sponsors and partners. The generosity of local and regional businesses, organizations and families keep the wheels rolling on year after year. We appreciate all your contributions and we will hopefully generate the kind of interest in you that you have shown in us.
I would like to thank the many Green Gael volunteers who selflessly give of their time and effort to produce the type of event that any sporting organization would be proud of. Whatever the result is on the floor, you can be sure that our volunteers are winners night in and night out.
Finally, but certainly not the least, I would like to thank our Clarington Green Gael fans, the best lacrosse fans in the world! Through thick or thin the Green Gael faithful are there with loud cheers and support. When I say the Clarington Green Gaels have a secret weapon I am referring to our fans.
So thank you fans and volunteers, sponsors, partners and community; and thank you Green Gael players, coaches and bench staff. Together we are all the embodiment of the Clarington Green Gaels motto: Family, Honour, Pride, Tradition.
Yours in Lacrosse,
Todd Powless, President, Clarington Green Gaels Junior “B” Lacrosse Club