Cancellation of the Canadian Lacrosse Association’s 2020 Minto Cup
Ottawa, ON—The Canadian Lacrosse Association announced yesterday the cancellation of all 2020 National Championships, including the Minto Cup.
The Minto Cup is the Junior A Lacrosse National Championship, competed in by the provincial champions of the BC Junior A Lacrosse League (BCJALL), the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL), and the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League (OJALL). For around 75 years, this award has been presented to Canada’s top junior lacrosse team.
“The Canadian Lacrosse Association’s top priority is the health and safety of our players, coaches, officials, parents, volunteers and fans,” said Shawn Williams, CLA President. “The Minto Cup is a much anticipated national championship every year and all parties will be working towards making the 2021 Minto Cup an event to remember.”
The 2020 Minto Cup was set to take place this August in St. Catharines during the week of the 16U National Box Lacrosse Championships/Canada Games test event.
“Although we are disappointed that the 16U National Box Lacrosse Championships and the 2020 Minto Cup were cancelled, we fully support the decision made by the Canadian Lacrosse Association,” added Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the 2021 Canada Games Host Society. “We remain excited that the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games will see lacrosse make its return to the Canada Games after a 36-year absence, and we also look forward to discussing the opportunity to host the Minto Cup in St. Catharines next summer.”
The BC Junior A Lacrosse League, the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League, and the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League have expressed their support of the cancellation of the 2020 Minto Cup.
"With the announcement by the Canadian Lacrosse Association regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Minto Cup, the BC Junior A Lacrosse League Board of Governors supports and agrees with this decision. BC Junior A League athletes look forward to competing in the Minto Cup Championships, and we all look forward to 2021 and the Minto Cup competition hosted in Ontario," said Karl Christiansen, league commissioner of the BC Junior A Lacrosse League.
"The Junior A League of the RMLL agrees with the decision of the CLA to cancel all Nationals. While the Minto Cup will not be competed for in 2020, the health and safety of the players, staff, volunteers, and fans is paramount. We are looking forward to competing in the 2021 Minto Cup hosted in St. Catharines, along with the OJALL and BCJALL," said Sean Aggus, league commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League.
"The OJALL fully supports the decision made by the Canadian Lacrosse Association to cancel the 2020 Minto Cup. Our host city of St. Catharines in partnership with the 2021 Canada Games Host Society will be ready in August 2021 to deliver a very special event. The OJALL is considered the top and most competitive junior box lacrosse league in the world. Losing a year competing to represent Ontario in the Minto Cup does not come without large disappointment for all of our players and as a league we have started to plan our run up to what will be a highly competitive Minto Cup next August. Ultimately, the safety and health of our players, coaches, staff and volunteers needs to come first. We are looking forward to defending the championship in 2021,” said Jason Shuttleworth OJALL Board Chair.
About the Canadian Lacrosse Association
Founded in 1867, the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) is the governing body responsible for all aspects of lacrosse in Canada. Our organization is comprised of 10 Member Associations representing nearly 85,000 individual participants, including coaches, officials, and athletes of all ages and abilities. The CLA's mission is to honour the sport of lacrosse and its unique nation-building heritage, by engaging our members, leading our partners, and providing opportunities for all Canadians to participate. The CLA oversees the delivery of numerous national championships and the participation of Team Canada at all international events sanctioned by World Lacrosse. The CLA is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values, including our corporate partners - NormaTec Recovery Systems, Canadian Red Cross, Westjet, and Baron Rings - as well as our funding partners the Government of Canada, the Coaching Association of Canada, and the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation. For more information on Canadian Lacrosse Association and the sport of lacrosse, visit our website at www.lacrosse.ca and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Clapham
Executive Director
Canadian Lacrosse Association
Phone: 613-260-2028 ext. 304
Email: jane@lacrosse.ca
