April 2022 - In this issue: |
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- Welcome to the inaugural issue of our newsletter
- Why a Newsletter?
- CLHOF Induction Ceremony Headed to Ontario in 2023
- Peterborough Celebrates 150 years of Lacrosse
- Juxtaposition
- In conversation with the Legendary John Davis
- Canadian Women's Field Lacrosse News
- Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame Celebrates 25th Anniversary
- UN TEMPLE DE LA RENOMMÉE À DÉCOUVRIR
- Did you say ... "Promote Lacrosse"? Have a look at this!
- Growing our Heritage
- A Lacrosse Minute ... with Cap Bomberry
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Matthew Black
Chairperson
CLHOF
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Hello Honoured Members and lacrosse enthusiasts,
On behalf of the board of directors I would like to welcome you to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame’s newsletter, the Onward Lacrosse! I hope you enjoy these and future stories honouring the greats who played the game we love, the builders who ensure there is a game to play as well as the Indigenous Peoples who created and gave us all the wonderful game of lacrosse.
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I know that you will also enjoy the articles in this and future publications that look at today’s game from men’s and women’s box lacrosse with world lacrosse holding its first women’s championship in 2024 to the new game of Lacrosse Sixes that will bring our sport to the Olympics!
We are looking for contributing writers for articles to touch on all aspects of the game. From historic events and individuals to present day box, field and sixes lacrosse, this newsletter will try and create an open environment to participate on things lacrosse.
We at the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame are looking forward to being back in the stands watching all of our great athletes and seeing old friends as 2022 looks as though we will resume lacrosse in a somewhat normal fashion, I hope to see as many of you there as possible.
Yours in Lacrosse,
Matt Black
Chair,
Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame
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Why a Newsletter for the Hall of Fame... ? |
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You might wonder why the Hall of Fame is putting out a newsletter…
Well, here is why:
We want to rekindle and develop the Hall’s relationship with its Honored Members, inductees and partners from the different provinces and communities throughout Canada; we want to promote the Hall’s image, projects and programs across Canada and finally create a community of readers interested in promoting the Hall and insuring its visibility and credibility
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The newsletter will be issued four times per year; in January to start off the year on the right foot, in April to prepare for the lacrosse seasons, in July to appreciate and celebrate the upcoming National Championships and in October to pave the way for the induction banquet and ceremony for the newly elected Hall of Famers.
What will we talk about?
A lot of things relevant to our ‘’great ones’’ and to the game itself.
We’ll have a conversation with an Honoured Member and a look at the lacrosse records that still stand (and might never be ‘’touched’’). We’ll walk back in time and relish in the best souvenirs experienced by our inductees and share into their pride. We’ll announce the promotions, nominations or recent involvement of our inductees and see where they are today.
We’ll talk about the new memorabilia added to the Hall’s collection of artifacts, inform our readers about the Hall’s calendar of activities or publications. We’ll share our actions, or positions, to promote the game with our partners at the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation and at Lacrosse Canada. And clearly we’ll entertain debates on topics and subjects that will help the game grow.
The newsletter will position the Hall for the excellence of its inductions and inductees, for the quality of its museum and for the leadership it will show in building the game with our partners. The Hall was there yesterday, is there today and will be there tomorrow. We will be neither defensive nor divisive and will welcome healthy and intelligent debates which will help grow the game. The Hall’s newsletter will be a ‘’two-way street’’ and will show leadership with the level of our debates, with the clarity of our vision and with the quality of our goals.
Our volunteer staff!!!
We have received commitments from the following writers who will put their talent to work in the upcoming issues: Matthew Black, David Soul, Bruce MacDonald, Ted Montour, Stephen Stamp, Darryl Smart, Jeramie Bailey. Daniel Ferland, Michelle Bowyer, Paul Horn, Dave Smith and Travis Cook. Other partners will be added as we go along.
Rad Joseph and myself will have the pleasure of coordinating each issue of the newsletter. Our challenge is to gain your interest but mostly your trust. Your challenge will be to let us know what you want and what level of excellence you expect from us.
Just let us know.
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CLHOF Induction Ceremony Headed to Ontario in 2023 |
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Matthew Black
Chairperson
CLHOF
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Since its inception in 1966 - the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame Induction ceremony has been held in the lower mainland, predominately the City of New Westminster, British Columbia.1 However, in 2023 the Induction ceremony is planned for outside of British Columbia and celebrated in Ontario.
The Hall of Fame Board of Governors felt it was time and the ability to host outside BC is now possible. Matthew Black, Chairperson for the Canadian Lacrosse Hall commented, “Moving the Ceremony out of British Columbia is an idea discussed three years ago, which did not come to fruition at that time. However, when raised most recently at a Board Meeting, it found quick approval. As a Board, we are working to ensure the CLHOF is able to participate physically throughout Canada and reflects the nation and the sport of lacrosse (box, field, sixes, men, women) more than it has been able to in the past.
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The board is looking to alternate the Induction Ceremony between East and West, a clear signal the CLHOF is heading in the direction of being more accessible for other Canadian regions to participate in the CANADIAN Lacrosse Hall of Fame ceremony. Quite simply – It is the right thing to do!”.
Although planning is only in its preliminary stages, the response has been totally positive throughout the Ontario lacrosse community. Chuck Miller, the current Executive Director of the Ontario Lacrosse Association noted, “This would be the first time for the CLHOF Induction Ceremony to be held outside British Columbia, and would allow more Eastern Inductees to have their family and friends join them on their special day. Our Eastern Canada Committee working with the CLHOF Executive will make sure this is a well attended event with a great atmosphere”.
Greg Hummel, President of the Ontario Lacrosse Association echoed similar sentiments when he stated – “This is great news. Lacrosse enthusiasts across Ontario will be delighted when this happens”.
Although not finalized, it is likely the 2023 Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony would be held the week after the Ontario Lacrosse Annual General Meeting in the November 2023 when the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame Induction ceremony takes place.
- The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame was first chartered in November 1964. Application to become incorporated was made in 1965. Selection committees were appointed in both Eastern and Western Canada to name the charter members. The committees met in Montreal in January 1966 and 48 founding members were inducted. In May of 1967, Tom Gordon, then President of the Canadian Lacrosse Association, officially opened the Hall of Fame premises, located in New Westminster's Centennial Community Centre. Prior the opening of the new premises in 1967, the hall's museum had been located at the New Westminster Museum & Archives on Royal Avenue. The CLHOF moved into its new premises in the Anvil Centre on its 50th Anniversary in November 2014.
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Peterborough celebrates 150 years of lacrosse |
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Peterborough Ontario, recognized as one of the lacrosse hot spots of Canada, will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary of involvement in lacrosse. The entire lacrosse community of Peterborough will be holding events to highlight this special anniversary.
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Lacrosse first began in Peterborough in 1872 with the first team the Red Stockings. Peterborough won its first championship five years later and since that time has won 29 senior and junior national championships and more than 150 provincial titles. A local committee, headed by Tim Barrie (a Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame goaltender) is organizing events to celebrate the game’s anniversary with a big week of lacrosse being planned for the last week of June ending with the celebration of Canada’s birthday on July 1.
Mr. Barrie commented - “The week of celebration will include representation from every lacrosse organization within Peterborough. This includes field lacrosse (including both Trent University teams), minor field lacrosse (girls and boys), minor box lacrosse and box lacrosse from Junior up to the Senior (MSL) team. And of course, the Peterborough Lacrosse Alumni will play a pivotal role”.
On Saturday, June 18 - the Ontario Major Series Lacrosse schedule will include all six MSL teams playing part of the league’s regular schedule in Peterborough during this celebration of lacrosse.
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JUXTAPOSITION (n):
"The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect."
In this regular feature we will post items (usually images) side by side with the intent of comparing and contrasting a great example of "then vs. now" or "different perspectives" within the game itself.
On the left is Bill Scuby who first guarded the net for the New Westminster Salmonbellies at age 15 in 1938. Four years later, the ’Bellies advanced to the Mann Cup championship final thanks largely to the heroics of their teenaged netminder. ....
On the right, a goaltender circa the early 2000's.
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In Conversation with the legendary Johnny Davis |
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John Davis
Team Canada - 1967
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Iconic player, one of the most prolific scorers in the history of lacrosse – John “Shooter” Davis is a genuine Canadian lacrosse legend. Standing five foot nine and a half inches and hitting the scales at 165 pounds, John Davis was a giant when it came to scoring. Tagged “Shooter” by a member of the Oshawa Green Gaels Executive, Davis scored 577 goals, along with 436 assists totalling 1013 points in 180 games during his Junior career. Averaging 5.6 points a games, Johnny Davis played on four Minto Cup championships (Hastings Legionnaires in 1961 and the Oshawa Green Gaels in 1963, 1964 and 1965). During his years as a Gael, Davis wore #43 – assigned to him by Coach Jim Bishop.
Johnny Davis continued his prolific style when 1966 he moved up to Senior lacrosse where in his rookie year with Peterborough he scored 51 goals and had 69 assists winning Rookie of the Year and celebrated the year as a key player on the Mann Cup champions. Davis collected the Mike Kelley Memorial Trophy as the Mann Cup MVP. With the Lakers, John Davis wore #9, a sweater number his coach Bob Allan felt “Shooter” should wear.
Overall, during his Senior lacrosse career, John Davis scored 921 goals, along with 1184 assists for a total of 2115 points in 441 games. Averaging 5 points a games, Johnny Davis played on two Mann Cup championships (Peterborough Lakers 1966 and 1973).
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In addition to his OLA career, John Davis represented Canada in a 1967 World Tournament which included Canada, the United States, England and Australia. The 1966 Mann Cup champion Peterborough Lakers team were chosen to represent Canada in the 1967 tournament.
Furthermore, John Davis played two full seasons in the initial National Lacrosse League in 1974 and 1975. He was the captain and star player for the Montreal Quebecois. Of note, Davis tallied 459 points including 189 goals in two seasons in the NLL. Montreal lost to the Quebec City Caribous in the 1975 NLL finals in six games.
John Davis’ collection of scoring titles, most valuable player awards and all-star recognition are numerous. Johnny Davis has been inducted into the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame (1982), the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame (1985) and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame (1984).
“There was always a player who would have you sit on the edge of your seat. I wanted to be that good. I wanted people to sit on the edge of their seat when I had the ball. I wanted fans to know when I had the ball, something was going to happen. I wanted to be an impact player. The more I could do to help the team, the better I liked it” - John Davis
Mr. Davis granted an interview to discuss his illustrious career. In chatting lacrosse with Johnny Davis, you quickly discover how gracious and humble a person he truly is.
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Classic John Davis move -
from the left corner across the middle
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#1 You began playing lacrosse at age 5 or 6. Who introduced you to the game?
JD – I first handled a lacrosse stick around age 3. We lived a couple of blocks away from Miller Bowl, maybe a three-minute walk. I helped my brother Terry who was the water boy for the Peterborough Timbermen. When the water bottles got empty, Terry would throw them over the screen to me, I would fill them and then toss them back to Terry. We were always at Miller Bowl, but I did not take the game up in an organized manner until age 5.
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#2 You have always been known as a gifted goal scorer; How did you develop your skills?
JD - Again, I think of Miller Bowl. Mr. Johnson was in charge of Miller Bowl. He allowed me to hang out with my lacrosse stick. Mr. Johnson asked if I wanted something to do - I had a job of hammering the nails that had popped out of the boards. I decided to practice by deliberately taking a nail to stick out several inches
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That nail became my target. I would practice my overhand, side-arm, underhand and behind the back shot by pounding the nail back into place. When I had hit the nail enough times that it was flush with the boards, shooting practice was over. I was around age 6 or 7 when I began doing this. My target was a nail head on the boards at the Miller Bowl.
#3 What personal strengths do you believe made you such a great lacrosse player?
JD – I always had powerful legs which gave me good speed and the ability to beat defenders one on one. Being down at the Miller Bowl almost everyday, I did plenty of running, cutting, starts and stops. I lived at the Miller Bowl. I think I also had good vision – you know, the ability to anticipate how a play could develop.
#4 Did you have a favourite “go to” play or move? (Did you come up with your own plays?) If yes, please tell us about them.
JD – Yes, I made my name on beating my man out of the left-hand corner. I liked to come across the top and shoot a backhand. I practiced the move at the Miller Bowl pounding the nail in with one of my four shots – overhand, side-arm, underhand and backhand.
#5 What made you such a passionate player? A fan could see when you played. The look in your face – the love of the game, the intensity?
JD – As a kid, I watched the Peterborough Timberman play. And there was always a player who would have you sit on the edge of your seat. I wanted to be that good. I wanted people to sit on the edge of their seat when I had the ball. I wanted fans to know when I had the ball, something was going to happen. I wanted to be an impact player. The more I could do to help the team, the better I liked it.
#6 Do you think you had any particular weaknesses?
JD – I was not a good face-off man. Which was OK as I played the wing. When I played - players played both offence and defence. I felt I was good on defence. I had a lot of pride in my defensive part of the game. I was pretty good on loose balls, too.
#7 As a youngster, was there a particular player you admired or tried to model yourself after?
JD – For sure – Bobby Allan and Jack Bionda.
#8 As you developed to become the genuine super star player you were, was there any particular team mate you admired?
JD – I wouldn’t say I was a star – I was just one of the players. It’s a team sport. Cy Coombes, Joe Todd, Jim Hickey, Ken Ruttan and of course, we had goaltender Pat Baker.
#9 Was there any particular opposition player you found tough to play against?
JD – Only one. I could honestly say – I could never beat him and that was Bruce Wanless from Brampton. Bruce was huge and so strong. And he knew I couldn’t beat him. Often, when I tried to beat him, he would say, “Not tonight Shooter, not going to happen”.
#10 Was there any specific goalie you had trouble scoring on?
JD – Not really. I studied opposition goalies. During the warm-ups, I would watch the other team’s goalie. It helped me figure out where they were strong and more importantly, I would see their weakness. That’s what I would work on during the game and where I would shoot.
#11 Did you have a favourite shot?
No. But, I had a bit of a secret I would use on a breakaway. I would look at the top left corner and I would put the shot in the top right corner or bounce shot it by the goalie. I would always use this strategy to trick the goalie.
#12 Did you have a favourite coach? If so, who and why?
JD – There are two. Jim Bishop with the Gaels. Jim taught me how important even what you might think was not important was. Something a simple as the extra step on pivot or a short burst of speed could be the difference. If you played for Bishop – you knew all about conditioning and being in top physical shape. And of course, Bobby Allan. Bobby was brilliant. He was good at line combinations. Bobby always put me with Cy Coombes. Bobby Allan used me on the penalty killing. I loved being on the penalty kill. I could often draw a penalty on the other team as I ragged the ball or I could go hard to the net and get a scoring chance. It worked both ways.
#13 Was there any particular team you played on that holds a special place in your memory?
JD – Every team I played with was special. If I have to pick one – it would be my year with the Whitby Redwings in 1961. (Editor’s Note: John Davis scored 122 goals, added 68 assists for a total of 190 points in 34 games). Most games we had only eight players, so I was on the floor almost all the time. When I became too tired, sometimes I would take a penalty to get a rest.
#14 Was there any particular personal highlight or achievement you are most proud of?
JD – I guess my return from Oshawa to Peterborough in 1966. The team and I had a great year. (Editor’s note: Peterborough won the Mann Cup. John Davis was the league’s Top Scorer, Rookie of the Year and MVP in the Mann Cup).
Also in 1967, Brooklin picked me up to go West for the Mann Cup to play against the Vancouver Carlings (Vancouver won the Mann Cup in 6 games). Before the first game, they called me out to centre floor. The place is packed and I am standing there at centre by myself. They announced, I had just been named athlete of the year for the City of Peterborough. They gave me a standing ovation. I did not know I had won it. That was the moment I found out.
#15 How do you think your teammates and coaches would describe you?
JD – (With a long chuckle). I don’t know. When pushed to respond, Mr. Davis stated, “I guess they would say I was a little good, maybe average”. (Which brought some laughter).
#16 Was there any one important lesson you learned from your time as one of the true legends of lacrosse? Anything you carried through life?
JD – Yes! Do what you can to always get along with people. Playing lacrosse, I developed so many friendships. So many years after I was done playing, it is the friendships that still matter so much. I had true friendships. Even today, Joe Todd is still one of best friends right now.
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Canadian Women's Field Lacrosse News |
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For those you who may be a little or a lot out of touch with lacrosse these days, there is definitely a big event coming up, Jun 29th - July 9th, that you’ll want to pay attention to!
This summer, World Lacrosse, in conjunction with USA Lacrosse, will be hosting the largest senior Women’s Field Lacrosse World Championship ever held. Teams from 30 countries will be competing for top spot in the world, with Team Canada looking to “change the colour” of their medal, having won silver in 2017.
The Canadian women’s roster is made up of a combination of players with senior national team experience, as well as previous members of the U-19 Canadian women’s team which captured a silver medal in 2019. One of the coaches had this to say about the 2022 team, “This roster brings a ton of World Cup experience and is one of the deepest teams that we have had. I can’t wait to see what this team can accomplish together.”
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The coaching staff also has its fair share of veterans, with returning head coach, Scott Teeter, being joined by Canadian legend and Hall of Famer, Gary Gait, who will share the coaching duties, having previously served as the head coach of the Canadian women’s senior team. The coaching staff is rounded out with assistant coaches, Allison Daley (former Team Canada goaltender), Caitlin Watkins (Assistant coach – Syracuse women’s lacrosse), Tami Rayner (Canadian lacrosse alumna), and Jason Levesque (Head coach – St. Bonaventure women’s lacrosse, and former assistant coach with Canadian national men’s teams).
It’s clear that with all of this experience, both on the field and behind the bench, this team is well positioned for success in the upcoming World Championship in Towson, Maryland. While the majority of the players have extensive field lacrosse experience, having played since high school, several of the players started their lacrosse careers much earlier than that.
Three Team Canada players in particular first got into the game when they were just 4 years old! Team Canada attacker Dana Dobbie (Ont.), midfielder Erica Evans (Ont.), and the lone player from BC, midfielder Megan Kinna, all started out playing box lacrosse on boys’ teams when they were just age four. Each one of these players credits their background in the box discipline for their success in field lacrosse.
Erica recently stated, “I do believe my box lacrosse background has really shaped my game in women’s field lacrosse. It has taught me to be tenacious, to be aggressive.”
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Each of these players, along with their Canadian teammates, will definitely need to tap into that tenacious and aggressive attitude as they face off against some of the best players in the world this summer! Good luck to our Canadian Women’s Field Lacrosse team in their quest for Gold!!
Support Team Canada!
If you would like to support our national team athletes as they represent Canada internationally, information on donations can be found here: Fundraising and Donations
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Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame celebrates 25th Anniversary |
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Chuck Miller
President
OLHOF Executive Committee
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In 1993, a steering committee was formed to initiate the establishment of an Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Clearly successful as the Hall opened in the Fall of 1997. It was a joint venture of the City of St. Catharines, the Ontario Provincial Government, the Federal Government of Canada and the general lacrosse community of Ontario.
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The year 2022 notes the 25th anniversary of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.1
On Saturday, May 14th from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. the OLHOF will celebrate their 25th anniversary paying tribute to three lacrosse organizations:
1) Lady Blue Knights Field Lacrosse Club;
2) Fergus Thistles Senior “B” Lacrosse Club and;
3) Ontario 1982 Women’s Field Lacrosse World Cup Bronze Medal Champions. The Hall will remain open until 5:00 p.m. for general viewing.
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Chuck Miller, who was a member of the initial Steering Committee and current President of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame Executive Committee commented – “It will be a very special day, particularly for the living members of the start up committee of the OLHOF. They should enjoy seeing their dream come true to its current reality and the very impressive look of the Hall 25 years later”.
Lady Blue Knights Field Lacrosse
The Lady Blue Knights are the largest and most successful women's field lacrosse organization in Canada. The Lady Blue Knights develop players who compete at the highest levels including Provincial, National, Ontario University and NCCA College lacrosse teams. Of note – in 2015, the U19 Canadian team which included players from the Blue Knights made history beating the Americans and being the first Canadian women's field lacrosse team to win a World Championship.
Fergus Thistles – Senior “B”
Fergus Thistles won three consecutive Presidents Cups (1986, 1987, 1988) defeating the Newtown Golden Eagles in Surrey, British Columbia in 1986. In 1987, the Thistles defeated the hometown team from Sarnia. Fergus completed the hat-trick of National championships in 1988 defeating the Surrey Rebels in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Team Canada Women’s Field Lacrosse - 1982 – World Cup Bronze Medal Champions
The first Women’s Lacrosse World Cup took place in 1982 in Nottingham, England. The team Canada roster included players from Ontario, won the bronze medal defeating Scotland 9-4. The team did not receive any medals in 1982. Although all other international men’s and women’s world tournaments had been issued a Bronze medal, the Canadian team did not receive their medals. In 2020, World Lacrosse started to investigate the oversight.
In 2021, the Canadian Women’s Alumni became involved and secured an actual medal and replicated it. The Alumni group sought opportunities to present the players with their medals. On November 14, 2021, the British Columbia based Team Canada members received their medals following the induction into the CLHOF of their 1982 team mate Michelle Bowyer. Team Canada players from Ontario will be receiving their medals on May 14th, 2022 at the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
- The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame & Museum recognizes and celebrates the great game of Lacrosse, through historical, cultural, and athletic contributions to the sport; celebrating past and present achievements in Canada’s national sport, across the province. OLHOF Hall of Fame displays include: Inductees; Canada 150 Display; History of Lacrosse; Shooting Gallery; The Claxton Banner; The Globe Shield; Mohawk Village Display; 1908 Olympic Medal; Minto Cup Display; Mann Cup Display; Presidents Cup Display; Creators Cup; The Beers Book; Traditional Stick Making.
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UN TEMPLE DE LA RENOMMÉE À DÉCOUVRIR… |
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N’y allons pas par quatre chemins et soyons directs.
Pourquoi n’y a-t-il pas plus de francophones au Temple de la Renommée de la crosse canadienne?
La question est claire et la réponse le sera encore plus. Et elle est très simple.
Ce n’est pas parce que les dossiers des francophones ne sont pas à la hauteur mais plutôt, tout simplement, parce que le comité de sélection ne reçoit jamais de dossier de francophones à étudier.
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Le processus de sélection fonctionne de façon très ouverte à partir d’un processus de mise en candidature; les Canadiens des différentes Associations de crosse envoient au comité de sélection les dossiers d’athlètes, d’équipes ou de bâtisseurs crédibles (entraineurs, arbitres, intervenants, administrateurs, bénévoles, etc) ayant contribué positivement, et surtout de façon exceptionnelle, au sport de la crosse.
Si le comité de sélection ne reçoit pas de dossiers mettant en valeur des francophones de haute qualité, il ne peut aucunement les intégrer au Temple de la Renommée de la crosse canadienne.
Devant une telle évidence il n’y a qu’une chose è faire pour promouvoir les candidatures de francophones méritants. Préparer des dossiers, les documenter clairement et les faire parvenir au comité de sélection du Temple de la Renommée de la crosse. Toute l’information se trouve sur le site internet du Temple de la Renommée. www.clhof.org
Grâce à vos efforts peut-être y aura-t-il plus de francophones au Temple de la Renommée de la crosse canadienne. Il faut d’abord faire le premier pas.
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Did you say ... "Promote Lacrosse"? Have a look at this... |
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Let me bring you back in time to 1883 and to the now famous lacrosse tour of Great Britain by an Aboriginal team of players from Akwesasne and Kahnawake and a group of Canadians mostly from Montréal and Toronto.
Who were those ‘’promotors’’?
Records and history books tell us that the organizers of the Great Britain Tour of 1883 and managers of the Canadian team were George Beers, a 40 years old Montréal dentist, Duncan
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Bowie former McGill student and Montréal lawyer and W K McNaught, a 38 years old goalkeeper from Toronto and the author of an 1873 book entitled ‘’Lacrosse: How to play it’’. Cooperating in the organization of the tour was Reverend D V Lucas from Montréal who was tasked with promoting Canada and ‘’distributing reliable information regarding Canada as a field for emigration.’’
The dominant figure and chief of the Aboriginal team was Sawatis Aientonni (known as Big John or Woodcutter); he was said to have been the team leader establishing strategies and ‘’summoning his players to the field with a long cry of ‘’se ni ko rak’’. During the games, according to D E Bowie Scrapbook / The Canadian Team at Chester, p 32, Big John moved ‘’about the grounds shouting out his directions to the players in the native dialect which was, of course, utterly unintelligible to any of the spectators’’
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"Big John" and the Kahnawake lacrosse team, European competitors, Scarborough, England, 1883
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Before games when the Aboriginal team appeared of the field ‘’Big John emerged almost mobbed, the ladies appearing most anxious to shake hands or even touch the Indian chief’’ (p53).
Where did they go?
The teams left Canada in mid-May and returned home in mid-August. According to Duncan Bowie/ McCord Museum Archives, they are said to have played, in that period of time, 61 games against one another and 37 games against local British teams.
They first played in Scotland in Dumfries, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Edinburgh. They then traveled to London and played at Fulham, London, Cheltenham, Reading, Clifton, Bristol, Newport, Canterbury, Oxford, Portsmouth, Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, Harrogate, Leeds, Dewsbury, Bradford, Wakefield, Chester, Aston, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Dalington, York, Roachdale, Manchester, Lancashire and finally in Ireland in Belfast, Derry and Dublin.
Talk about ‘’playing on the road’’!!!
Talk about a long lacrosse season!!!
Who were those great players?
The Canadian Team
W G. Beers / captain; Montréal
W K McNaught / goal; Toronto
W J Cleghorn / point; Montréal
J Ross MacKenzie / point
W C Bonnell /cover point; Toronto
D E Bowie / defense; Montréal
W O Griffin / defense; Montréa
J R Craven / defense; Montréal
F W Garvin / defense; Toronto
S Struthers / center; Toronto
N J Fraser / home; Montréal
W D Aird / home; Montréal
D Nicholson / home; Montréal
E Smith / home; Winnipeg
The Aboriginal team
Sawatis Aientonni (Woodcutter/Big John); captain
Sawatis Atirhiton (John White Eagle)
Wise Ko-Weniio (Michael Hole in the Sky) / home
Dier Aiewade (David the Feather)/ home
Wise Kaonwakahere (Michael the Swan)/ point
Sose Arekwede (Joseph Crossing the River)/ home
Saksaria Sakosennake (Zachariah Strong Arm)/ defense
Dominique Dekaroniennenkae (Dominic Fleetfoot)/ center
Louis Deadeinadeake (Louis the Hemlock)/ defense
Sen Deonwadase (June Standup)/ defense
Sose Iaouharon (Joseph the Lightning)/ home
Aeneas Iaonwadekaore (Anvus the Beautiful Way)/ point
Dawid Kaiendaron (David the Chief Man)/ defense
This starting lineup was presented by the Duncan E Bowie Fund, McCord Museum Archives; ‘’Lacrosse, Canadians v Iroquois Indians’’, p 7
Information presented above emerges from Daniel Ferland’s book ‘’Le jeu de la crosse à Montréal au XIXième siècle’’; collection Patrimoine/ Sherbrooke 2007
In the next issue of this newsletter we will touch base, with author Daniel Ferland, on the underlying objectives and goals of the 1883 Great Britain Lacrosse Tour…
In the meantime can those of you ‘’in the know’’ please tell us who won the games between those two great traveling teams!!! Somehow the game sheets were lost….
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The purposes of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, a not for profit corporation of Canada, are to:
- Foster and promote the game of lacrosse and to stimulate the public interest of the game in Canada.
- Promote and develop community spirit by the encouragement of athletics, and in particular the game of lacrosse.
- Honour the tradition of lacrosse from its very roots, with displays honouring the First Nations through exhibits showing the game’s transition into modern life and promoting the continued growth of this heritage to the benefit of all.
In this article we will cover the resources, tools and methods we use to achieve these aims, while in a future issue we will detail each of our aspirations and the strategies we will use to move towards fulfilling each.
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Market Segments
Each of the areas enumerated below is a core piece of the CLHOF fulfilling one of more of our mandates as reflected in the statement of purpose above.
Each will be developed according to a segment specific plan, however each is inter-related both in concept and structure to other the segments outlined here.
Each of the segments will have its own specific marketing strategy, and as we proceed through the years, each may provide opportunities for increasing our involvement with lacrosse communities throughout Canada.
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Honoured Members
This segment represents our List of Honoured Members and all aspects of the celebration and remembrance of their achievements and lasting impact on Canada’s National Summer Sport and its importance to our culture…
Our Game. Our Heritage.
It includes the Wall of Fame, the annual Induction Banquet & Ceremony, the video recording of the proceedings and the creation of a working partnership with our Honoured Members.
This newletter will become one of our signature methods of recognising and preserving the stories of our Honoured Inductees.
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Lacrosse Museum
This segment represents all embodiments of our museum – both our physical home at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster but also in the growing importance in having a footprint across Canada.
We will achieve this through travelling displays at major lacrosse events, championships, and also in other public venues including other sports halls of fame, municipal facilities - including places of play and civic centres - and even public malls or exhibitions where warranted.
We will increasingly look to partners throughout all levels of the lacrosse community to honour the best of the best and the contributions of lacrosse to society.
Illustrated below is our History of Lacrosse, part of a larger collection, which has previously been on display in Montreal, St. Catharines, Calgary and New Westminster.
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We have a substantial and growing archive, but it is simply not accessible to the public and, due to storage constraints, is not likely to be so at any time as far into the future as we can envision.
To remedy this we will digitize most of the content and will make it accessible from sea to sea via carrying it online. Yet accessibility alone is not sufficient, and we need the online facility to be "an archivist for the rest of us," not one that is only of interest to professional historians and researchers.
To this end we will develop the archive to professional standards, but we will segment displays by audience type with the public facing info for lacrosse and general population interests coming foremost while details such as provenance, accession and other archival.
Metadata readily accessible to researchers but always presented in a way that does not intrude on the satisfaction of the lacrosse enthusiast viewer.
This will be achieved through a CLHOF unique (in both content and presentation) web site developed in house – Powers’ Bible of Lacrosse, Powered by the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
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Web Site
Our existing web site serves a purpose – but not well enough. It tries to do too many things and this results in too complex a navigation system. We will be making substantial improvements in the design and navigation of the site to make it a more inviting place to visit and learn about the rich impact of the game and our Honoured Members on the history and culture of Canada.
Some of the current information hosted on this site will find a new home on our new virtual archives or our soon to be launched “The Rest of the Story” oral and written history blog of lacrosse.
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Power's Bible of Lacrosse
This segment which, will also host our virtual archives, should over time be the most accessed and have the highest number of repeat visitors of all offerings of the Hall of Fame.
The Bible of Lacrosse, while it will become our most viewed segment will ultimately be the tool that drives recognition and acceptance of our other segments.
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We aim for the CLHOF being exemplary in the Sport Hall of Fame Sector - that we be recognized as among best keepers of the history of a sport and be true to our tag line of “Our Game. Our Heritage.”
We will use social media to drive traffic to each of our segments, especially the virtual ones, as tool at use in each of the other segment's plans and in being true to our purposes. We invite you to explore our current social media offerings via the links in the "social media bar" at the end of this newsletter.
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A Lacrosse Minute - with Cap Bomberry |
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Oliver Bomberry, of Six Nations Ontario, at the time of his Induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2001 had been involved in lacrosse for over 20 years.
He was the general manager of the Six Nations Chiefs for the 1994, 1995, and 1996 Mann Cup championship teams. Cap is renowned for recruiting players for his teams and is well respected by his community and peers.
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Do you have an idea for a story line or pictures to share?
Please drop us a note !
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Support the Hall of Fame! |
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As a non-profit organization we need public support, your donation supports activation of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame's programming so that we can increase outreach throughout the country. |
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Power's Bible of lacrosse |
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