What’s happening?
The New Westminster Salmonbellies Senior A Lacrosse Club is hosting a wide range of activities as part of its annual Alumni Night. The Salmonbellies and Stonehaus Realty are hoping to make the July 7 event something special for folks of all ages.
Liam Thomas, a Realtor with Stonehaus Realty, said food, drinks, live music, free games/events and an open house are part of the plan to help share the Salmonbellies’ decorated past.
“Stonehaus Realty was beyond excited to start the partnership with the historic Salmonbellies organization this season,” he said. “The New Westminster Salmonbellies carry a rich history that we're honoured to be a part of and help grow in the wonderful New West community.”
Tips from a pro:
Tyrell Hamer-Jackson, who plays for the Vancouver Warriors, will be hosting a free kids face-off clinic powered by Faceoff Control and Stonehaus Realty.
“We will be introducing the basics of face-off in lacrosse, learn some new tricks counters and exits,” he said.
Hamer Jackson said he’s staying involved with the Salmonbellies when and wherever he’s needed, as he recovers from an injury. His lacrosse career included time with the Intermediate and Junior Bellies; he signed with the Senior A team for a season in 2019.
What if I don’t take face-offs?
You don’t have to play lacrosse to enjoy the open house’s offerings. Stonehaus Realtors will be leading tours of Queen’s Park Arena from 4:30 to 6 p.m. (tours start every half hour).
“We are really looking forward to having people explore Queen’s Park Arena,” said club president Paul Horn. “Even seasoned fans will probably learn something about the building if they join us on these free tours.”
A “party on the lawn” in front of Queen’s Park Arena, running from 5 to 7:30 p.m. includes music by Jon Ralphio, water balloon games and face-painting. The game-night barbecue gets underway at 6 p.m. and the beer garden inside the arena starts at 6:30 p.m.
Say cheese:
The Salmonbellies are inviting folks to gather outside Queen’s Park Arena just after 7 p.m. for a special photo opportunity.
“We are going to have the #PaintItRed drone photo,” Horn said. “We would like to have as many people decked out in Bellies colours as possible as we take a unique photo on the plaza of the fans before we go into the game.”
What else is planned?
The local Coasters team and the Port Coquitlam Saints will take part in a master’s game from 5 to 6 p.m.
As part of the annual Alumni Night event, the Salmonbellies will be welcoming back alumni and recognizing the team’s past manager/president, Dan Richardson at the beginning of the game.
Richardson, who was president and general manager of the Salmonbellies for 16 years, took the team to four Mann Cups. Richardson left the Bellies in 2019, but continues to serve as the general manager of the NLL Vancouver Warriors.
“Dan is a Salmonbellie through and through, and he has been one of the greatest builders of our game and our team,” Horn said. “We never got a chance to see a proper thank you to him because of COVID, so we are hoping a large crowd will be there to say thanks for all that he has done for the Bellies.”
Game details, please:
The Senior Bellies will take on their archrivals, the Coquitlam Adanacs, starting at 7:30 p.m.
“The Bellies are fighting for a playoff spot, and we are going up against our most long-standing rival, the Adanacs,” Horn said. “It should be a great game!”
Two contests are being held during the intermissions, including a paper plane contest and a kids shooting contest. A game-worn Jordan McBride jersey, signed by the entire 2022 team, and a kids’ pizza party in the Stonehaus Suite, are up for grabs.
By the action doesn’t end there, as the Salmonbellies players will meet with fans at a post-game autograph session.
What about tickets?
Tickets are available online or at the Queen’s Park box office.
