Lacrosse Canada Bench Release
We invite you to learn the history of the founding of Lacrosse Canada in this documentary that was made at the recent Lacrosse Canada Bench and Plaque unveiling in Kingston Ontario.
Lacrosse Canada is North America’s first national amateur sport governing body. It has been in existence for 157 years. Appropriately, on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation celebrated the origin of Lacrosse Canada which was founded in 1867 in Kingston, Ontario on that date. 52 delegates representing 27 lacrosse clubs in Ontario and Quebec gathered in Kingston to form the National Association of La Crosse, the first North American National Sport Governing Body. Dr. W.G. Beers led the proceeding in drafting a constitution, adopting a set of rules and voting in the first group of elected officials. The Association served as a model for other sports during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Lacrosse was formally made Canada’s National Summer Sport in 1994. Lacrosse will return to the Olympic Games in 2028 after a 120-year absence
To observe this historical event, the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation created a beautiful granite monument - the “Lacrosse Canada Bench”. In the next month or so, a handsome bronze plaque will be installed to commemorate this special moment in Canadian Sports history. These markers were shared with the public at the unveiling ceremony. The Bench and the Plaque include a unique feature of having text in English, French, and Mohawk,; reflecting the rich heritage of the game. Both were unveiled - marking the sport’s place in Indigenous culture and Canadian history.?
About the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation
The Canadian Lacrosse Foundation (CLF) is a charitable organization established in 1996 to administer and grow an endowment fund that is used to develop and execute charitable activities within the lacrosse community. The primary purpose of the Foundation can be summarized as follows- (a) To advance the public understanding of the role of lacrosse in the history and cultural development of Canada;(b) To educate and instruct lacrosse coaches and officials on the rules of the game and player development;(c) To provide lacrosse programs in order to support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities and troubled youth; and(d) To receive or maintain a fund or funds and to apply all or part of the principal and income therefrom, from time to time, to qualified donees under the Income Tax Act (Canada).
For more information, please contact:
Jim Calder
Director
Canadian Lacrosse Foundation
Email: james.calder2@sympatico.ca