The Western Lacrosse Association season is underway, and Marisa Ingemi caught up with commissioner Casey Cook.
Marisa: How will the league handle fighting this year?
Casey: The WLA abides by the CLA rules and is also doing so on the new rules as they pertain to fighting. The WLA understands concern about the potential negative effects of head injuries as a result of fighting. As well, we understand the attempts by Sport Canada to enhance the image of sports in Canada, particularly as they have an affect on children.
MI: What is the situation with the facemasks?
CC: There is a fair bit of anecdotal information that has been received regarding injuries as a result of the use of the new facemask. Yesterday I had communication with the President of the CLA suggesting that an audit be done to ascertain exactly what sort of information that games played thus far would present. When that information is in, next steps can be determined. However, if the reports keep coming in at the rate experienced thus far, I would recommend immediate action. We have had reports of some injuries in the four WLA games held thus far. It definitely is a concern, I will be monitoring it closely to determine appropriate action. I am very confident that the CLA will do the right thing in terms of player safety.
MI: Are you excited about the Mann Cup being in BC this year?
CC: The Mann Cup being played in the West presents a tremendous opportunity for the WLA. The league has experienced parity as never before, so the Mann Cup is a tremendous incentive for all of our teams. The last Mann Cup played in the West was held, for the first time in Langley. It was a tremendous boost for that organization and for that community. We’ll see what opportunities it presents this year.
MI: Anything new we should watch for the league in 2013?
CC: As I said, parity is the new operative word in the WLA. In years gone by, we had pretty much a two-tier league, with Victoria, Coquitlam and New Westminster vying for the opportunity to go to the Mann Cup. That has all changed. Langley, Burnaby, Nanaimo and Maple Ridge have all made tremendous strides forward in putting together excellent teams, teams that can vie for the Mann Cup. That makes for an exciting schedule.
Also, the WLA is starting to get into the webcasting business in a much more substantive way. People world-wide now watch our product. We have merely dipped our toe in the water in terms of where we see this going in the next decade.
MI: How does the level of lacrosse in the WLA this season compare to other leagues?
CC: The WLA , MSL and the NLL share many of the same players. Box lacrosse has a tremendous history in Canada and there are several hotbeds of lacrosse, primarily in Ontario and B.C., with Alberta also emerging as one.
In my opinion, the level of lacrosse played in the WLA can match the level played any box league, albeit the rules may not be exactly the same in all three leagues. The important thing is, lacrosse generally and box lacrosse particularly, is starting to experience tremendous growth world wide. This augers well for the WLA and also for other leagues. We’re very excited about the state of the game!
