|
|
NEW COACHES A'PLENTY
Of the eight teams in the BC Junior A Lacrosse League, five are starting the 2010 season with new head coaches. 'New' would definitely be a loose term for their titles, considering they bring well over 100 years of combined experience to the table with regards to the game of lacrosse, both as players and coaches. In a season where the Minto Cup tournament will be played in British Columbia, most teams have similar goals with regard to where they want to be at the end of August, but how they get there will have a lot to do with their new coaches.
Both teams from the Island are among the clubs with new bench bosses. Dave Bremner will be moving up from assistant to head coach of the Nanaimo Timbermen, a move Governor Forbes Mitchell is confident will push the club into that coveted extra spot for the Minto. "Dave is the type of coach every GM aspires to have on the bench. You need leadership on the floor, but it's important to have it on the bench as well." Bremner is no stranger to playing or coaching, winning one Minto Cup as a player with the Esquimalt Legion (now Victoria Shamrocks), and collecting two Mann Cups with the Senior 'A' Shamrocks. As a coach Bremner guided the Junior 'A' Shamrocks to a silver medal at the Minto in 2004, and was an assistant coach for the Calgary Roughnecks from 2001-2005.
Bremner realizes where the Timbermen faltered in 2009, and says motivation will be the key difference this year. "We underachieved as a team last season. Our talent pool has gotten deeper with good drafting, and our players are working hard in pre season workouts. We are going to be a team that runs hard and pushes the fitness limits of our opponents, while focusing on being aggressive on defense and transition."
Down Island, the Shamrocks are known for keeping it in the family, and the 2010 season will be no different for Victoria. Shamrock GM and Governor Rod Wood says at the end of last season it was felt within the organization that a new coach with fresh ideas was in order. “After interviewing several candidates for the job, Jordan brought the energy, knowledge, and Shamrock pride to the table and it was what we were looking for.” New head coach Jordan Sundher played all three seasons of his Junior career with the 'Rocks where he was named captain in his final season; he amassed nine years as a member of the Senior Shamrocks, winning two Mann Cups and playing in five straight Mann Cup Championships from 2002 to 2006. Sundher played two years as a member of the Calgary Roughnecks, and rounded out his NLL experience with the Edmonton Rush in 2006. Most recently, he was the assistant coach for the Senior Shamrocks for the 2009 season, and says his background is the best thing he can bring to the table as head coach. "I'm only one year removed from playing at a Senior level for the 'Rocks, so I'll be able to relate easily with these young men as a coach and as a player. This level is where you develop both as a player and a person," says Sundher, who credits his own Junior coach for providing his solid lacrosse foundation. "Pete Rushton taught all of us during that time how to play and act as a member of the Shamrocks family. I hope to give my players the same experience."
The Port Coquitlam Saints have moved successful Intermediate coach Nick Delmonico up the ranks to head coach of the Junior team for 2010. Delmonico says the transition from his day job as the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Vancouver Fire Department, to coaching will be smooth considering the similarities. "I'm required to be prepared and organized with a focus on skills and abilities to complete a job, and when it comes to coaching the Saints, it's not going to be much different." Delmonico is starting out with the basics and building from there, "The first and most important part of the agenda for me this year is to instil a professional attitude. Considering the talent on the floor I believe they underachieved last year and need to re-focus their mental game to ensure their success this year. Commitment to our team, the other players, and our team system will be crucial to succeed"
In perhaps the most discussed coaching shuffle this season, Dan Perreault was picked up by the New Westminster Salmonbellies after Brad Parker stepped down due to work commitments. Perreault was available for the position after being fired as head coach in Coquitlam following last years Minto Cup tournament in Brampton. Considering the Adanacs regular season success in 2009, and Perreault being named coach of the year in 2008, it was a move that raised questions in the lacrosse community; but Perreault is focused on the present, and compressed the whole experience into a simple statement. "All that is last year. The players played, the coaches coached. The other things that went on I have no control over, it's a new year and I'm excited about it." Perreault spends the Junior off-season as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator with the Colorado Mammoth of the NLL, and says although the two leagues seem miles apart, there are similar aspects that can be applied to both. "I'm very fortunate to have coaching experience involving both leagues," he says, "the change in pace is probably the biggest adjustment, but when it comes to preparation and basic skills, all that starts off in Junior." Perreault plans to use the knowledge he gained coaching against New West in his favour. "I've got a good start especially considering our battle in the BC final last season, so I'm just planning on filling in the holes and getting our system in check."
2010 Minto Cup hosts Coquitlam has appointed a 'home town hero' of sorts for their head coach position. The Adanacs welcome Curt Malawsky to the bench, a spot he's extremely proud to take over. "It's real special, my hearts always been in Coquitlam and when the opportunity came up I was super excited to do it. Now I’m excited for the hard work to begin." Aside from his impressive career, spanning over a decade as a key player in both the WLA and NLL, Malawsky is now the assistant coach for the Calgary Roughnecks in the National Lacrosse League. With his extensive experience, including winning a Minto Cup as a coach with the Junior ‘A’ Burnaby Lakers in 2004, Malawsky knows what it takes to win championships at all levels and is wasting no time bringing that mentality to the Adanacs. "Our personnel will be conducive to our system; team cohesion, character, and chemistry is real important and has been a key part in my successes over the years. A tight group and team attitude is first and foremost." Malawsky says his hometown will know what to expect from him behind the bench this season. "Most people know my style so nothing should be a surprise. Talent is nothing without hard work, and people will see that we will be the hardest working team in the country this season."
When asked their opinions on the majority of the teams in the BCJALL having new coaches, all five responded the same, saying there was no advantage considering the talent and experience of those brought into the positions. “It doesn’t make a difference at all,” says Perreault, “at this stage no one is green, so it will be a level playing field with regards to coaching.”
Submitted by Jen Mutas
League Reporter
jmutas@bcjunioralacrosse.com
|
|
Around The League With Jen - Archives
2010 Articles
July 16, 2010 - (Round Two—What To Expect)
July 10, 2010 - (Playoffs—What To Expect)
June 24, 2010 - (Prospects Game)
April 30, 2010 - (Beat This)
April 19, 2010 - (New Coaches A'Plenty)
2009 Articles
July 30, 2009 - (Getting to the Good Stuff Faster)
July 1, 2009 - (Prospects Success)
May 13, 2009 - (National Rankings)
April 26, 2009 - (Shamrocks pluck two netminders from Ontario)
February 9, 2009 - (2009 Midget Draft Report)
2008 Articles
August 23, 2008 - (Fans Have Say)
June 9, 2008 - (Mid Season)
May 2008 - (Month One)
|
|
