Ottawa, ON — Lacrosse Canada announced today that a decision has been made to cancel nine of the 2021 National Championships, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The minor box lacrosse nationals, including the 12U, 14U, 14U girls, 17U and 17U girls National Championships, have been cancelled. The Founders’ Cup Junior B National Championship has been cancelled. As well, the field lacrosse nationals, including the U15 boys' field, U18 men’s field and the senior men’s field National Championships, have been cancelled for 2021.
A decision on the U19 women’s field National Championship has been deferred to June 1, 2021. Further communication regarding the Mann Cup, Minto Cup and Presidents’ Cup National Championships will be released at a later date.
This difficult decision to cancel many of the National Championships for a second year was made with the support of the box lacrosse and field lacrosse sectors and in consultation with the Lacrosse Canada’s Member Associations. Health and safety concerns, travel restrictions, mandatory quarantine measures in some areas and many other factors were taken into consideration.
“After a year of limited lacrosse opportunities, we realize this decision will be difficult to hear for many in our lacrosse community,” said Shawn Williams, Lacrosse Canada President. “The health and safety of our players and everyone involved in lacrosse remain our top priorities. We look forward to 2022 when our lacrosse family can safely be united from across the country for National Championships.”
Lacrosse Canada would like to clarify that this decision is not a cancellation of the lacrosse season in Canada. With return-to-play or return-to-activity at different stages across the country, Lacrosse Canada’s member association will decide the 2021 lacrosse opportunities based on provincial and health authority guidance.
Lacrosse Canada encourages everyone to continue following the health and safety guidelines in their provinces or territories. With everyone doing their part, Lacrosse Canada is looking forward to when lacrosse is able to safely resume across the country.
About Lacrosse Canada
Founded in 1867, Lacrosse Canada 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. Lacrosse Canada’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. Lacrosse Canada oversees the delivery of numerous national championships and the participation of Team Canada at all international events sanctioned by World Lacrosse. Lacrosse Canada is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values, including our corporate partners - NormaTec Recovery Systems, RockTape, OPRO, 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, please contact:
Jane Clapham
Executive Director
Lacrosse Canada
Email: jane@lacrosse.ca