Message from the President - 2008
Dear Green Gaels Fans:
It is with great pride that I pen this letter to you, the fans. Never did it cross my mind as an Oshawa Green Gaels ball boy in the late 70's that I would have the pleasure to serve this franchise as the president.
The memories of Jim Bishop with one foot on the bench and one on the boards as if ready to jump over and have an up close and personal conversation with the referee is why it is such an honour to be a part of this franchise. The memories of Derek Keenan, Guy Morey, Don Madole, Kelly Mitchell, and Tommy Wreggitt playing in a packed Oshawa Civic Auditorium are what give me such pride to be a part of this club today. Even the simplest of things like bus rides that stopped at pay phones on the way home to call in the score to the press, a sweaty Children's Arena, and my father chewing Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum on game days were impressed upon me.
What bearing does the Green Gaels of yesteryear have on the Green Gaels of today? Why are these memories important 30 years later?
Because it is now the Junior B Green Gaels creating these memories for our children and young fans. It's Jason Crosbie and Jonas Derks that our children idolize. It's Todd Collins, Nick Diachenko, Zach Higgins, Mike McCusker, and Eric Sorchetti that our young fans admire. To me, this fulfills the family and tradition portion of our motto.
I encourage everyone to get involved in lacrosse. Coach a minor house league team, become a board member, become a dedicated fan. Create memories for our youth, for these youth will be tomorrow's presidents.
On behalf of the Clarington Green Gaels Junior B Lacrosse Club, it is my pleasure to welcome you to another exciting year of lacrosse at the Garnet B. Rickard Arena. We are proud to provide our fans with the best Junior B skills, enthusiasm, and competitiveness available.
The Junior B League is the largest league in Ontario with 26 teams. The Ontario Junior B League has proven to be the strongest and most competitive Junior B league in Canada, which most certainly makes it the strongest and most competitive world wide. The Gaels are a major contender in this league.
In entering our eleventh year in Clarington, we are very excited with this year's line up. After losing five graduating players , and our affiliate Junior A club, the Whitby Warriors graduating fourteen more, we are very pleased with the talent that has stepped up to help us accomplish our goal. That goal is to win the Founder's Trophy in 2008, and bring another national title back to Clarington. Since coming to Clarington in '97 we have attained that goal in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004. The Gaels fell off their pace in 2006, but we plan to hit the floor running in 2008!
Sincerely, yours in lacrosse,
David Abramczuk – President
Clarington Green Gaels Junior B Lacrosse Club