Team Mexico didn’t win a medal in this summer’s u-19 world field lacrosse championships, but it didn’t go home empty-handed.
Ross Guthrie, equipment manager for the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association, notes that in the lead-up to the July tournament, some local lacrosse players helped lower-tiered teams from Mexico and Scotland get more acquainted with the game by playing exhibition games against those countries’ teams.
“In most of these countries, it’s still very much in development,” he said. “It was to get them ready for world-class play. These are 19-year-old, world-class athletes, and they really love the game and want to develop. They really appreciated our help.”
While in the Lower Mainland, members of the Mexican field lacrosse team members also took in some box lacrosse games.
“It’s a lot faster, a lot rougher. It’s very, very quick. It’s a much different game,” Guthrie said. “They got very excited about that.”
The Mexicans mentioned they’d like to start a box lacrosse program in Mexico City, but didn’t have the funding to start a program. The New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association provided the team with some older lacrosse gear and made arrangements for Jason Bishop, the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association’s head coach, to lead the team in a box-lacrosse clinic at Queen’s Park Arena and in a scrimmage with local players.
“They were just thrilled to come out and learn a few things. They don’t know how to play box lacrosse, but they took to it pretty quickly. They have enough stick skills and athleticism to do it, they just don’t know the game,” Guthrie said. “It was so much fun.”
Take a trip to Tuscany – and help local seniors
The Seniors Services Society is hard at work on plans for this year’s Evening in Tuscany fundraiser.
The event, which features a dinner, entertainment and a silent and live auction with MC Peter Legge is taking place on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at La Perla Ballroom in River Market. Evening in Tuscany is raising funds for a variety of programs that help local seniors, including Meals on Wheels, bus trips, an information and referral services and more.
Tickets are $100 and (with a $50 tax receipt) and are available at www.seniorsservicessociety.ca or 604-520-6621. (A previous item in the Record included an incorrect phone number.)
Dinner a success
The community came together to support a charity providing therapeutic counselling for youth battling addiction as a result of childhood abuse and trauma.
More than 100 guests attend a community dinner at St. Barnabas Church hall on Aug. 27 in support of Dan’s Legacy. The dinner raised $3,500 for the charity.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the incredible support we received from the community,” said Barbara Coates, executive director of Dan’s Legacy. “For some time now, the media has been reporting more and more stories about the kids lost to overdose or suicide; these funds will help us providing the critical counselling and life skills programs so desperately needed by young people in crisis.”
Chef Amber Anderson and her team of students from HAVE Culinary Training Society in Vancouver whipped up a yummy meal from surplus ingredients donated by Save-On-Foods. Volunteers, led by the local Union Gospel Mission’s kitchen manager Mike Miller, prepared appetizers for the guests that included clients from Dan’s Legacy, parishioners form St. Barnabas Anglican Church, members of the Immigrant Link Membership Society and others who wouldn’t normally have the chance to attend this type of event.
“I have seen firsthand the incredible work Dan’s Legacy does counselling youth who have experienced trauma,” Anderson said in a press release. “My cooking skills, connection with Dan’s Legacy and work with at-risk youth make it an ideal way for me to give back to the community. My current students helped me prepare the food; it is a great way for students to also give back.”
For more information, visit www.danslegacy.com.
