Please note, this story has been modified since its original posting.
Certainly the fact that in the Salmonbellies’ 125-year history, the men’s senior A team has won the Mann Cup 24 times – more than any other Canadian team – is a source of pride for the team’s fans. And undoubtedly having more Salmonbellies in the
Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, proudly located in New Westminster, than any other team gives ‘Bellies and their fans bragging rights.
But, to most residents of the Royal City, the New Westminster Salmonbellies are far more than merely a successful sports organization.
The players, current and past, their fans and supporters are part of a large Salmonbellies family that is hard to understand, unless experienced.
Many former players go on to dedicate their lives back to the Salmonbellies by becoming coaches, presidents and even general managers within the organization. Current senior Salmonbellies general manager Dan Richardson, who played for the
‘Bellies in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, is an example of such a player.
Other former players took on roles essential to the running of the Royal City. There is a longstanding New Westminster tradition of Salmonbellies becoming firemen. Ivan Tuura, John Gilchrist and Geordie Dean are just a few of the former
Salmonbellies who made the department over the years. Some ‘Bellies have even gone on to become chiefs of the New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, such as 1960s player Paul Parnell, who worked his way up to fire department chief.
Still others became medical professionals, including Ralph Burton, who played for the ‘Bellies from 1937 to 1947 before becoming a dentist.
Current young players feel the weight of generations before them and wear the Salmonbellies’ distinctive logo with pride – current midget girls’ goalie Bianca Ballarin, for example, who has helped her team win four provincial and national tittles.
Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of past star players carry on the Salmonbellies tradition in one way or another.
Descendants of Salmonbellies who were brought by former New Westminster mayor Fred Hume, to New Westminster from back east to help the team win in the early 1930s, are still in New Westminster and involved with the team.
Player Ed Downey’s daughter, Pat, for one, is the current Salmonbellies manager of game-day operations, and her grandson Ken Downey is the announcer at the ‘Bellies games.
The bottom line is, to grow up in New Westminster for most means to have played, volunteered for or attended Salmonbellies games at Queen’s Park arena. (Doing just that as a youth inspired author Bruce MacDonald to write his book of history of the ‘Bellies).
The Salmonbellies organization also gives back to the community in a big way, whether it is with scholarships from the New Westminster Salmonbellies Alumni & Friends Society or the annual Seats for Soldiers event, which honours all serving and past military, veterans, cadets, Legion members and military associations, the Cops for Cancer charity hockey game or simply current ‘Bellies donating time to teach lacrosse to kids at local schools.
There is a culture of Salmonbellies giving back.
However you look at it, the Salmonbellies organization and the community of New Westminster are intricately linked.
